Deletion of Fmr1 results in sex ‐specific changes in behavior

ConclusionThese findings highlight the importance of including female subjects in preclinical studies, as simply studying the impact of genetic mutations in males does not yield a complete picture of the phenotype. Further research should explore these marked phenotypic differences among the sexes. Moreover, given that treatment strategies are typically equivalent between the sexes, the results highlight a potential need for sex‐specific therapeutics.

Few investigations into the behavioral phenotype of the Fmr1 knockout mouse have also investigated females. The results of this study provide evidence for a sex‐specific impact of deletion of Fmr1, adding to a growing literature cataloging the impact of sex as a biological variable in preclinical models of ASD. Overall, the potential involvement of sex is important for the formulation and evaluation of potential therapeutics in this model.

Source: Brain and Behavior - August 1, 2017 Category: Neurology Authors: Suzanne O. Nolan, Conner D. Reynolds, Gregory D. Smith, Andrew J. Holley, Brianna Escobar, Matthew A. Chandler, Megan Volquardsen, Taylor Jefferson, Ashvini Pandian, Tileena Smith, Jessica Huebschman, Joaquin N. Lugo Tags: ORIGINAL RESEARCH Source Type: research