Home Department: Biology
Supported by: Bio-X
Mentor: H. Craig Heller, Biology
Smith Magenis syndrome is a developmental disorder whose most prominent features include an inverted circadian rhythm and moderate learning disability. Mashbayar will be analyzing the mouse model of Smith Magenis syndrome not only to gain further understanding of this difficult yet under-researched disease, but also to explore the link between circadian rhythm disturbances and learning deficits. Learning deficits present in many other diseases such as Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease are hypothesized to be caused by misfiring circadian neurons; comprehensive understanding of Smith Magenis syndrome and its mechanism may help us learn how to restore not only a regular circadian rhythm but also learning and memory in patients with such diseases.
Poster presented at the Stanford Bio-X Interdisciplinary Initiatives Symposium on August 24, 2016:
Sleep and Learning in Mouse Model of Smith Magenis Syndrome
Mashbayar Tugsbayar1, Bayarsaikhan Chuluun1, H. Craig Heller1
[Department of Biology1, Stanford University]