Molecular biology

ASD is characterized by deficits in sociability, sensory processing and by stereotypical behaviors. Animals prenatally exposed to VPA showed purinergic-related molecular alterations. Suramin rescued ASD-like impairments in the VPA-animal model.

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.