Behavioural and neurobiological changes due to Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome
Supervisors:
Mick Craig, School of Psychology & Neuroscience (University of Glasgow)
Gareth Arnott, Institute for Global Food Security (Queen's University Belfast)
Kate Jeffery, School of Psychology & Neuroscience (University of Glasgow)
Julia Edgar, School of Infestion and Immunity (University of Glasgow)
Summary:
Wobbly hedgehog syndrome (WHS) is a progressive demyelinating neurodegenerative disease that affects approximately 10% of four-toed African pygmy hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris) and European Hedgehogs (Erinaceus europeaus). It begins as ataxia and leads to deficits in locomotor ability and eventually death. Little is known about the causes of this disease, but it is likely to include genetic and dietary causes. Pygmy hedgehogs are one of the most popular species of hedgehogs that are kept as exotic pets. Anecdotal evidence suggests that these animals are very intelligent but their cognitive abilities have not been studied in a systematic, scientific way. This species is entirely new to experimental neuroscience research.
The aim of this project is to develop novel behavioural tasks that take advantage of the pygmy hedgehog’s natural behaviours to allow their cognitive and motor abilities to be determined. These tasks will then be used as assays to understand the cognitive, motor and neurobiological changes that occur in WHS. Additional opportunities are available to develop expertise in electrophysiology and / or viral circuit tracing methods, according to the student’s interests. Students will develop expertise in neuroanatomy, behavioural testing and sought-after in vivo biology skills.