Altered Primary Somatosensory Neuron Development in a Pten Heterozygous Model for Autism Spectrum Disorder.

ABSTRACT: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in social interactions, repetitive behaviors, and hyper- or hyposensitivity to sensory stimuli. The cellular mechanisms underlying the emergence of abnormal sensory sensitivity in ASD are not fully understood. Recent studies in rodent models of ASD identified differences in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons that convey somatosensory information to the central nervous system. However, it is unknown how ASD-associated alterations in DRG neurons emerge during development and if these phenotypes are conserved across ASD models. We examined Pten (phosphatase and tensin homolog) heterozygous mice (Pten ^Het ) as a model for syndromic ASD and identified altered responses to sensory stimuli.

SUBMITTER: Fernandez A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12661289 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature