Repetitive behavior in the mouse - Translational model of Autism

Newsletter # 85

Animal models

Despite a continued rise in the number of cases, Autism remains one of the least understood neurological disorder and lacks adequate therapies.
Nevertheless, brain inflammation caused by an overactive immune system is common hallmark of autism.

It is a developmental disorder characterized by two core symptoms :
■ restricted social interaction and communication; and
■ motor stereotypies, repetitive behaviors, and insistence on sameness.

Currently available animal models include induction of brain inflammation at juvenile ages.
NEUROFIT implements the LPS mouse model of brain inflammation which displays repetitive behavior and insistence on the sameness in the T-maze alternation paradigm. Furthermore, these symptoms are improved by the pretreatment with GRN-529, a NAM mGluR5 previously developed by Wyeth/Pfizer for Autism (1).

(1) Negative allosteric modulation of the mGluR5 receptor reduces repetitive behaviors and rescues social deficits in mouse models of autism". Science Translational Medicine. 4 (131): 131ra51.

See also the effect of MPEP, a mGluR5 antagonist in another assay for repetitive behavior in the mouse.

NEUROFIT offers a range of validated in vitro and in vivo screening tests for psychiatry and neurology.

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Newsletter # 85

Animal models

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NEUROFIT offers a range of validated in vitro and in vivo screening tests for psychiatry and neurology.