Animal behavior

Mice homozygous for the nude mutation (Foxn1nu) are hairless and exhibit congenital dysgenesis of the thymic epithelium, resulting in a primary immunodeficiency of mature T-cells, and have been used for decades in research with tumor grafts. Here we investigate the impact of T-cell immunodeficiency on behaviours relevant to the study of neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders.

Individuals with ASD can present deficits in empathy-dependent features. Empathy is a complex social manifestation recently described in rodents. VPA-induced animal model of ASD shows abnormal empathy-like pro-social behaviour. Early tracking analysis provide strong correlation with the test outcomes.

This study aimed to analyze the effects of prenatal exposure to VPA, as well as possible preventive effects of RSV, on sensory behavior, the localization of GABAergic parvalbumin (PV+) neurons in sensory brain regions and the expression of proteins of excitatory and inhibitory synapses. Our data showed for the first time an altered localization of PV+-neurons in primary sensory cortex and amygdala. We also showed a reduced level of gephyrin in the primary somatosensory area (PSSA) of VPA animals. The treatment with RSV prevented all the aforementioned alterations triggered by VPA.

This article contains data of Social Transmission of Food Preference in an animal model of autism and the evaluation of a set of microRNA analyzed in autistic patients and animal model of autism. We identified 13 microRNA with similar levels among rodents’ experimental groups, as well as 11 microRNA with no alterations between autistic and control subjects. Further evaluation of mechanisms of VPA and RSV actions on behavioral and molecular alterations can shed light in important biomarkers and etiological triggers of autistic spectrum disorders.

In this work, we analyzed the effects of resveratrol (an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory molecule) on behavioral alterations of the VPA model of autism, as well as the levels of circulating miRNA. We also evaluated the same set of miRNA in autistic patients. Rats of the VPA model of autism showed reduced total reciprocal social interaction, prevented by prenatal treatment with resveratrol (RSV). The levels of miR134–5p and miR138–5p increased in autistic patients. Interestingly, miR134–5p is also upregulated in animals of the VPA model, which is prevented by RSV.