![[Skip Navigation]](http://www.d.umn.edu/base/extras/spacer.gif)
What's Inside
CURRENT/INCOMING STUDENTS
RELATED LINKS
Thomas Bastian
B.S., Biochemistry/Molecular Biology and Chemistry, University of Minnesota - Duluth
Research Assistant, School of Medicine Duluth (office Microbiology)
Advisor: Dr. Grant Anderson, Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Matriculated: 2008
Email: bast0068@d.umn.edu
Project Description
Copper, iron, and iodine deficiencies lead to very similar defects in brain development. The main cause of impaired brain development during iodine deficiency is a drastic decrease in thyroid hormone levels. Recent data suggests that iron and copper may both play a role in maintaining adequate thyroid hormone levels. Thus some of the deleterious effects on brain development of copper and iron deficiencies may in fact be due to thyroid hormone deficiencies. I am testing the hypothesis that copper and iron deficiencies lead to decreased brain thyroid hormone levels in a developing rat. I will also examine the mechanisms by with copper and iron deficiencies reduce brain thyroid hormone levels.