Bibliographic Details
| Title: |
Investigating the Role of the Telencephalon on the Startle Response in Goldfish, Carassius auratus |
| Authors: |
Gasper, Madelyne |
| Contributors: |
University of Scranton. Department of Biology |
| Publisher Information: |
University of Scranton |
| Publication Year: |
2025 |
| Collection: |
The University of Scranton Digital Collections |
| Subject Terms: |
University of Scranton -- Dissertations, Academic theses, Telencephalon, Startle reaction, Goldfish |
| Time: |
2020-2029 |
| Description: |
Startle responses are evolutionary advantageous adaptations that allow prey to escape predation. These responses are present in a variety of species with one notable example being in the Goldfish, Carassius auruatus. The goldfish startle response, otherwise known as the C-start response, is primarily modulated by two reticulospinal neurons called Mauthner cells (Mcells). While there has been extensive research on the M-cell and the C-start response, the involvement of rostral brain centers in the startle response remains unknown. Recent research by Collins & Waldeck 2006 revealed that telencephalic ablation resulted in diminishment or complete loss of the startle response. However, there is still little known about the connection between the telencephalon and C-start response. The current study found that bilateral telencephalon removal results in a significant decrease in startle behavior, confirming prior research. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction attempted to identify any changes in tyrosine hydroxylase gene expression in the neuronal tissue surrounding the M-cells following telencephalon removal. While no significant change in relative expression was found, it may not accurately reflect the level of tyrosine hydroxylase as abnormal melting curves pointed to nonspecific amplification. Changes to protocol are necessary to better understand tyrosine hydroxylase expression in this area. Carbocyanine dye DiI anterograde tracing and immunohistochemical staining for tyrosine hydroxylase were used to determine if there were dopaminergic projections extending from the telencephalon to the M-cells. While colocalization was not found, tyrosine hydroxylase positive cells were found in the area of the M-cell which contributes to the growing body of evidence of a dopaminergic component to the goldfish C-start response. |
| Document Type: |
text |
| File Description: |
application/pdf |
| Language: |
English |
| Relation: |
Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience; University of Scranton Archives; University of Scranton Masters and Honors Theses; University of Scranton Honors Theses; University of Scranton Magis Honors Program in STEM Theses; TH_Gasper_M_2025; http://digitalservices.scranton.edu/u?/p15111coll1,1492 |
| Availability: |
http://digitalservices.scranton.edu/u?/p15111coll1,1492 |
| Rights: |
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ ; The author of this work retains the copyright. The author has granted to The University of Scranton a non-exclusive license to preserve and make the thesis available in the Library's digital collections, with access open to the public. |
| Accession Number: |
edsbas.8AB5D559 |
| Database: |
BASE |