Little things. big impact

Dr. McLean Bolton

Illuminating the neural pathways of the mind

Research Group Leader | Bolton Lab, Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience

Insights into the circuitry of the brain.

Dr. McLean Bolton investigates disorders of neural circuit function. Building on post-graduate work developing screening platforms for neurological disorders, her goal is to gain understanding on how neural circuits are altered in complex behavioral disorders like autism and schizophrenia.

Breakthroughs by Dr. McLean

Amygdala Circuitry

Examining the making of fear memories.

The amygdala is central to the establishment of emotional significance and the storage of fear memories. Dr. McLean Bolton studies the neurons within the amygdala that process stimuli, mainly in context ofconditions like autism and schizophrenia.

The Intercalated clusters (ITC’s) are inhibitory neurons that surround the amygdala and act as “gatekeepers to the amygdala.” Her research revealed that one group of neurons, the apical intercalated cell clusters (apITCs), integrate sensory information from the thalamus and other cortical areas to gate information flow to the lateral amygdala.

This insight could aid in the development of groundbreaking therapies for those suffering with anxiety or fear related neural circuitry disorders.

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From Dr. Bolton's lab

Neurons in the amygdala

Retrograde tracing is used to determine the location of the cells of origin of a nervous system pathway. Here, the axon terminals of amygdala neurons are projecting to the prefrontal cortex.
A better look at synapses

Anterograde tracing showing how Dr. Bolton and team evaluate the synaptic output from the amygdala by injecting an AAV expressing ChR2 GFP gene into the amygdala.

Breakthroughs by Dr. Bolton

Brain circuitry and autism

A sharper picture of autism.

This insight could aid in the development of groundbreaking therapies for those suffering with anxiety or fear related neural circuitry disorders.

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From Dr. Bolton's lab

Connections in the amygdala

The amygdala conveys emotions to the brain regions that control fight or flight responses. Here we see connections between inhibitory somatostatin neurons onto each other and distant targets.
Synapses on the spectrum

This image shows a synapse of an ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) model, where Dr. Bolton and team have been able to quantify the receptors with freeze frame Electro-Microscopy.
Genes in developmental disorders

TBR1 is a protein coding gene associated with developmental disorders. This ASD model in the amygdala shows reduced axonal outgrowth and interhemispheric connection.

Comparing brain circuit defects across models of ASD may help
target treatments to key neurons or synapses.

Dr. McLean Bolton Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience

Breakthroughs by Dr. Bolton

Understanding schizophrenia

Cannabis research gets deep.

Endocannabinoids are neuromodulators that regulate decision making and emotion. The brain releases them in precise doses in response to various stimuli. But the THC in marijuana overtakes the endocannabinoidsystem (ECS).

Evidence shows that the ECS may be altered in people suffering from PTSD and schizophrenia. Combining knockout models of candidate schizophrenia susceptibility genes, and adolescent exposure to THC, Dr. Bolton is studying how genes and THC use in adolescents may interact to increase incidence of psychiatric disorders.

Bolton’s research into interaction between the ECS, THC use, and emotion modulation will expand awareness around what contributes to the neural circuit imbalances and possible treatments.

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From Dr. Bolton's lab

Capturing neuron activity

Still from video of measuring activity of subtypes of neurons in mice exposed to cannabinoids in adolescence. Confocal images taken with ZEISS 980.
Identifying neuron clusters

Of the intercalated clusters of inhibitory neurons that surround the amygdala, here we see an apical cluster (apITC) with one apITC neuron filled with biocytin in red.

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