Sex-specific autistic endophenotypes induced by prenatal exposure to valproic acid involve anandamide signalling.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is more commonly diagnosed in males than in females. Prenatal exposure to the antiepileptic drug valproic acid (VPA) is an environmental risk factor of ASD. Male rats prenatally exposed to VPA show socio-emotional autistic-like dysfunctions that have been related to changes in the activity of the endocannabinoid anandamide. Here, we have investigated if prenatal VPA induced sex-specific autistic endophenotypes involving anandamide signalling.

Experimental approach

We studied sex-specific differences in the ASD-like socio-emotional, cognitive and repetitive symptoms displayed during development of Wistar rats of both sexes, prenatally exposed to VPA. The involvement of anandamide was followed by Western blotting of cannabi

SUBMITTER: Melancia F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6109221 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature