Imbalance of flight-freeze responses and their cellular correlates in the Nlgn3^-/y rat model of autism.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Mutations in the postsynaptic transmembrane protein neuroligin-3 are highly correlative with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and intellectual disabilities (IDs). Fear learning is well studied in models of these disorders, however differences in fear response behaviours are often overlooked. We aim to examine fear behaviour and its cellular underpinnings in a rat model of ASD/ID lacking Nlgn3.

Methods

This study uses a range of behavioural tests to understand differences in fear response behaviour in Nlgn3^-/y rats. Following this, we examined the physiological underpinnings of this in neurons of the periaqueductal grey (PAG), a midbrain area involved in flight-or-freeze responses. We used whole-cell patch-clamp recordings from ex vivo PAG slices, in add

SUBMITTER: Anstey NJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9290228 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature