Diminished activity-dependent BDNF signaling differentially causes autism-like behavioral deficits in male and female mice.

ABSTRACT: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of neurodevelopmental disorders with strong genetic heterogeneity and more prevalent in males than females. Recent human genetic studies have identified multiple high-risk genes for ASD, which produce similar phenotypes, indicating that diverse genetic factors converge to common molecular pathways. We and others have hypothesized that activity-dependent neural signaling is a convergent molecular pathway dysregulated in ASD. However, the causal link between diminished activity-dependent neural signaling and ASD remains unclear. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a key molecule mediating activity-dependent neural signaling. We therefore hypothesize that diminished activity-dependent BDNF signaling could confer autism-like behavioral deficits

SUBMITTER: Ma K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10189061 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature