Impaired cerebellar plasticity hypersensitizes sensory reflexes in SCN2A-associated ASD.

ABSTRACT: Children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) commonly present with sensory hypersensitivity, or abnormally strong reactions to sensory stimuli. Such hypersensitivity can be overwhelming, causing high levels of distress that contribute markedly to the negative aspects of the disorder. Here, we identify the mechanisms that underlie hypersensitivity in a sensorimotor reflex found to be altered in humans and in mice with loss-of-function in the ASD risk-factor gene SCN2A. The cerebellum-dependent vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR), which helps maintain one's gaze during movement, was hypersensitized due to deficits in cerebellar synaptic plasticity. Heterozygous loss of SCN2A-encoded Na_V1.2 sodium channels in granule cells impaired high-frequency transmission to P

SUBMITTER: Wang C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10274749 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature