Dr Ahmed Eltokhi
an assistant professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at Mercer University School of Medicine
Dr Ahmed Eltokhi
Dr Ahmed Eltokhi
About
Dr. Eltokhi is currently an assistant professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at Mercer University School of Medicine. He obtained his PhD from Heidelberg University and the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research.
Current research
The objective of Dr. Eltokhi lab is to dissect the complexity and heterogeneity of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) by identifying a common pathophysiology at the circuitry level that could be targeted for interventions. His current work is focused on the effect of mutations in voltage-gated ion channels including sodium and calcium in the pathophysiology of ASD, with an ultimate goal of developing effective treatments targeting the underlying molecular defects.
Future research vision
Gating pore currents conducted by ASD mutants of voltage-gated ion channels provide an exceptional opportunity to dissect the complexity of ASD and other neuropsychiatric disorders since some of these mutations are also associated with schizophrenia and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorders. Dr. Eltokhi hypothesizes that gating pore currents will have different consequences in different disorders by altering input- output relationships of individual neurons and neural circuits, and by causing specific endophenotypes including social abnormalities, repetitive behaviours and cognitive dysfunction. Deciphering the effect of gating pore current will ultimately pave the way for identifying a common therapeutic intervention for different neuropsychiatric disorders.
Key publications

Eltokhi A. et al. Distinct effects of AMPAR subunit depletion on spatial memory. iScience. 2023.

Pitzer, C. et al. Sex Differences in Depression-Like Behaviors in Adult Mice Depend on Endophenotype and Strain. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 2022.

Eltokhi, A. et al. Imbalanced post- and extrasynaptic SHANK2A functions during development affect social behavior in SHANK2-mediated neuropsychiatric disorders. Molecular Psychiatry, 2021.

Pitzer, C. et al. Gait performance of adolescent mice assessed by the CatWalk XT depends on age, strain and sex and correlates with speed and body weight. Scientific Reports, 2021.

Eltokhi, A. et al. Behavioral tests assessing neuropsychiatric phenotypes in adolescent mice reveal strain- and sex-specific effects. Scientific Reports, 2020.

Eltokhi, A. et al. Distinct phenotypes of Shank2 mouse models reflect neuropsychiatric spectrum disorders of human patients with SHANK2 variants. Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience, 2018.

Key awards

Young Investigator Grant, Brain and Behaviour Research Foundation (BBRF).

Postdoctoral fellowship, Fritz Thyssen Foundation.

Predoctoral fellowship, Heidelberg Biosciences International Graduate School (HBIGS).

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