Exposure to GABA_A Receptor Antagonist Picrotoxin in Pregnant Mice Causes Autism-Like Behaviors and Aberrant Gene Expression in Offspring.

ABSTRACT: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is characterized by impairments in social interaction and restricted/repetitive behaviors. The neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) through GABA_A receptor signaling in the immature brain plays a key role in the development of neuronal circuits. Excitatory/inhibitory imbalance in the mature brain has been investigated as a pathophysiological mechanism of ASD. However, whether and how disturbances of GABA signaling in embryos that are caused by GABA_A receptor inhibitors cause ASD-like pathophysiology are poorly understood. The present study examined whether exposure to the GABA_A receptor antagonist picrotoxin causes ASD-like pathophysiology in offspring by conducting behavioral

SUBMITTER: Kotajima-Murakami H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8850354 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature