Otx2 mRNA expression is downregulated following traumatic brain injury in zebra finches

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) induces a wide range of neurodegenerative symptoms, yet effective treatment strategies remain limited. Emerging evidence suggests that post-TBI recovery recapitulates aspects of early brain development, highlighting the potential for developmental molecular mechanisms to inform therapeutic interventions. The transcription factor <i>Otx2</i> is critical for early brain and sensory organ development, as well as the maintenance of retinal and neural function in adulthood. Notably, the transfer of <i>Otx2</i> homeoprotein into parvalbumin-expressing (PV+) GABAergic interneurons is essential for opening and closing critical periods of plasticity across vertebrates. Here, we investigate the acute regulation of <i>Otx2</i> mRNA following TBI in adult zebra finches (ZF) to evaluate its potential as a target for future study and therapeutic manipulation in neural repair. Adult ZFs sustained unilateral hemispheric brain injuries, and qPCR was used to quantify <i>Otx2</i> mRNA expression at 24 hours and 1 week post-injury in both males and females. Our findings reveal a significant downregulation of <i>Otx2</i> mRNA expression following injury, highlighting <i>Otx2</i> as a potential target for further investigation and manipulation. These results provide insight into the molecular response to brain injury and suggest a potential link between developmental pathways and post-injury plasticity.