Correlation of Distinct Behaviors to the Modified Expression of Cerebral Shank1,3 and BDNF in Two Autistic Animal Models.

Correlation of Distinct Behaviors to the Modified Expression of Cerebral Shank1,3 and BDNF in Two Autistic Animal Models. Behav Brain Res. 2021 Feb 09;:113165 Authors: Alò R, Olivito I, Fazzari G, Zizza M, Di Vito A, Avolio E, Mandalà M, Bruno R, Tullio B, Canonaco M, Facciolo RM Abstract Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder featuring altered neuronal circuitry and consequently impaired social interactions, restrictive interests plus repetitive stereotypic activities. In the present study, differentiated behaviors of valproic (VPA) and propionic (PPA) acid-mediated autism rats were correlated to cerebral scaffolding proteins (Shank1,3) and BDNF expression variations. Sprague-Dawley offspring that received VPA during pregnancy displayed a notably diminished permanence (-78%, p < 0.01) in light chamber of light dark (LD) test, reduced exploratory tasks, i.e. grooming (-90%) and rearing (-65%). Moreover, they executed extremely greater climbing intervals (+300%, p < 0.001) in novel cage (NC) test, plus exhibited an extremely reduced (-331%) discrimination index in novel object recognition (NOR) test when compared to controls. PPA-treated postnatal days (PND) 12-16 rats also displayed anxiety-like behaviors, although in a less evident manner, as indicated by a moderate time (+55%; p < 0.05) spent in dark chamber along with notable and moderate decreases in digging (-78%) plu...
Source: Behavioural Brain Research - Category: Neurology Authors: Tags: Behav Brain Res Source Type: research