Targeting Peripheral Somatosensory Neurons to Improve Tactile-Related Phenotypes in ASD Models.

ABSTRACT: Somatosensory over-reactivity is common among patients with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and is hypothesized to contribute to core ASD behaviors. However, effective treatments for sensory over-reactivity and ASDs are lacking. We found distinct somatosensory neuron pathophysiological mechanisms underlie tactile abnormalities in different ASD mouse models and contribute to some ASD-related behaviors. Developmental loss of ASD-associated genes Shank3 or Mecp2 in peripheral mechanosensory neurons leads to region-specific brain abnormalities, revealing links between developmental somatosensory over-reactivity and the genesis of aberrant behaviors. Moreover, acute treatment with a peripherally restricted GABA_A receptor agonist that acts directly on mechanosensory neurons reduced t

SUBMITTER: Orefice LL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6704376 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature