Examining the Neurodevelopmental Impact of Sonic Hedgehog Pathway Inhibition in Mice.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are common, highly variable, and etiologically complex. Identifying environmental factors that adversely impact prenatal brain development is a direct path to NDD prevention. Small molecule disruption of the Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway, a key regulator of craniofacial morphogenesis, can lead to overt face and forebrain malformations that produce profound neurological deficits. However, whether environmental disruption of Shh signaling can cause subtle neurodevelopmental outcomes in the absence of overt facial malformations was unknown.

Methods

We developed a dietary model of Shh signaling inhibition using the specific Shh pathway antagonist vismodegib. C57BL/6J mice were fed control chow or chow containing 25, 75, or

SUBMITTER: Beames TG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11948295 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature