# Understanding the role of the frontal cortex during cognitive flexibility in Fmr1 knock outs

> **NIH NIH R03** · KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $71,589

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder where individuals exhibit deficits in
cognitive flexibility. Purpose: This proposal will record from the frontal cortex of Fmr1 KOs (model of Fragile X
syndrome) during cognitive flexibility tasks and assess how neural hyperexcitability within the KOs impacts
reversal learning and shifts of attention. Methods: Fmr1 KOs and wildtype rats will be trained on categorical
perception tasks with touchscreens in operant chambers. Single-unit neurophysiology and local field potentials
will be collected from the frontal cortex (including the anterior cingulate) during the tasks. It is important to
understand how altered neural function within the KOs impacts cognitive function and learning. This project will
compare neural activity from putative pyramidal and interneurons to examine differential functions during
cognition. Examining these differences in neural function between KOs and WT will enhance our
understanding of how cortical excitability impacts cognition. The local field potentials can provide templates of
neural signatures that in future studies can be compared to electroencephalography data from humans with
ASD or Fragile X.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10795088
- **Project number:** 5R03MH133173-02
- **Recipient organization:** KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Bethany Plakke Anderson
- **Activity code:** R03 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $71,589
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-03-01 → 2026-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10795088

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10795088, Understanding the role of the frontal cortex during cognitive flexibility in Fmr1 knock outs (5R03MH133173-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-12 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10795088. Licensed CC0.

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