Hyperexcitability of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons in male offspring of a rat model of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) induced by prenatal exposure to valproic acid: a possible involvement of Ih channel current.

Hyperexcitability of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons in male offspring of a rat model of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) induced by prenatal exposure to valproic acid: a possible involvement of Ih channel current. Brain Res. 2018 Dec 08;: Authors: Hajisoltani R, Karimi SA, Rahdar M, Davoudi S, Borjkhani M, Hosseinmardi N, Behzadi G, Janahmadi M Abstract Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a common neuropsychiatric disorder, which is characterized by impairment in social interaction and cognitive behaviors. However, there is not much electrophysiological data available on alterations of neuronal excitability in autism. Here, we assessed the pattern of neuronal excitability and the possible contribution of Ih current to the altered excitability of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons in a rat model of VPA-induced ASD-like behavior. Pregnant Wistar rats received Valproic Acid (VPA, 500mg/kg) at gestational day 12.5. All offspring were subjected to behavioral tests to verify the induction of ASD-like behaviors. On postnatal day (PND) 45, whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were performed on hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons in slices obtained from control and prenatal VPA-exposed pups, under current and voltage-clamp conditions. Our results showed that beside the induction of behavioral abnormalities in ASD pups, higher excitability of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons was also prominent, as evidenced by a significant increase in the spontaneo...
Source: Brain Research - Category: Neurology Authors: Tags: Brain Res Source Type: research