Differences in the expression of restricted repetitive behaviors in female BTBR T  + tf/J mice.

Differences in the expression of restricted repetitive behaviors in female BTBR T + tf/J mice. Behav Brain Res. 2019 Jun 15;:112028 Authors: Amodeo DA, Pahua AE, Zarate M, Taylor JA, Peterson S, Posadas R, Oliver BL, Amodeo LR Abstract Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by the expression of restricted repetitive behaviors (RRBs) and impairments in social recognition and communication. Epidemiological studies demonstrate males are three times more likely than females to be affected. Although this is the case, more recent studies suggest females may be underrepresented in these numbers due to standard clinical measures of RRBs and social behaviors. In addition, many studies examining mouse models of ASD exclude females due to the sex disparity in diagnoses. The present study examined how female and male BTBR T + Itpr3tf /J (BTBR) compare to control C57BL/6 J mice on tests of RRBs (probabilistic reversal learning, repetitive grooming, spontaneous alternation, and marble burying) and social behaviors (three chambered social approach task). Utilizing a spatial reversal learning test with 80/20 probabilistic feedback, in which ASD individuals have exhibited deficits, we find that female BTBR mice do not show the same impairment we found in male BTBR mice. Interestingly, control female C57BL/6 J mice required more trials to reach criterion. Female BTBR mice expressed comparable rates of repetitive grooming, marble b...
Source: Behavioural Brain Research - Category: Neurology Authors: Tags: Behav Brain Res Source Type: research