Cortical Foxp2 Supports Behavioral Flexibility and Developmental Dopamine D1 Receptor Expression.

ABSTRACT: Genetic studies have associated FOXP2 variation with speech and language disorders and other neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) involving pathology of the cortex. In this brain region, FoxP2 is expressed from development into adulthood, but little is known about its downstream molecular and behavioral functions. Here, we characterized cortex-specific Foxp2 conditional knockout mice and found a major deficit in reversal learning, a form of behavioral flexibility. In contrast, they showed normal activity levels, anxiety, and vocalizations, save for a slight decrease in neonatal call loudness. These behavioral phenotypes were accompanied by decreased cortical dopamine D1 receptor (D1R) expression at neonatal and adult stages, while general cortical development remained unaffected. Finally, u

SUBMITTER: Co M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7132914 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature