A multiscale analysis in CD38^-/- mice unveils major prefrontal cortex dysfunctions.

ABSTRACT: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by early onset of behavioral and cognitive alterations. Low plasma levels of oxytocin (OT) have also been found in ASD patients; recently, a critical role for the enzyme CD38 in the regulation of OT release was demonstrated. CD38 is important in regulating several Ca²⁺-dependent pathways, but beyond its role in regulating OT secretion, it is not known whether a deficit in CD38 expression leads to functional modifications of the prefrontal cortex (PFC), a structure involved in social behavior. Here, we report that CD38^-/- male mice show an abnormal cortex development, an excitation-inhibition balance shifted toward a higher excitation, and impaired synaptic plasticity in the PFC such as those observed in various mouse mod

SUBMITTER: Martucci LL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6677574 | biostudies-literature | 2019 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature