Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) present a wide range of symptoms characterized by altered sociability, compromised communication and stereotypic/repetitive behaviors. These symptoms are caused by developmental changes, but the mechanisms remain largely unknown. Some lines of evidence suggest an impairment of the cholesterol/isoprenoid metabolism in the brain as a possible cause, but systematic analyses in rodent models of ASDs are lacking. Prenatal exposure to the antiepileptic drug valproate (VPA) is a risk factor for ASDs in humans and generates a well-established model for the disease in rodents. Here, we studied cholesterol/isoprenoid metabolism in different brain areas of infant, adolescent and adult rats prenatally exposed to VPA. VPA-treated rats present autistic-like symptoms, they show changes in cholesterol/isoprenoid homeostasis in some brain areas, a decreased number of oligodendrocytes and impaired myelination in the hippocampus. Together, our data suggest a relation between brain cholesterol/isoprenoid homeostasis and ASDs.
Cartocci, V., Catallo, M., Tempestilli, M., Segatto, M., Pfrieger, F.W., Bronzuoli, M.R., et al. (2018). Altered Brain Cholesterol/Isoprenoid Metabolism in a Rat Model of Autism Spectrum Disorders. NEUROSCIENCE, 372, 27-37.
Titolo: | Altered Brain Cholesterol/Isoprenoid Metabolism in a Rat Model of Autism Spectrum Disorders |
Autori: | PALLOTTINI, Valentina (Corresponding) |
Data di pubblicazione: | 2018 |
Rivista: | |
Citazione: | Cartocci, V., Catallo, M., Tempestilli, M., Segatto, M., Pfrieger, F.W., Bronzuoli, M.R., et al. (2018). Altered Brain Cholesterol/Isoprenoid Metabolism in a Rat Model of Autism Spectrum Disorders. NEUROSCIENCE, 372, 27-37. |
Handle: | http://hdl.handle.net/11590/328652 |
Appare nelle tipologie: | 1.1 Articolo in rivista |