Avaliação comportamental de ratos submetidos a um modelo experimental de autismo e ao empobrecimento ambiental do ambiente pós-natal por isolamento

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a class of neurodevelopmental disorders that affects about half a million people in Brazil, characterized by impairments in social interaction, communication and behavioral flexibility. The ASD animal model by the prenatal LPS exposure is a new model that may help to understand the etiology and pathophysiology of the disorder. Previous studies support the evidence that changes in the postnatal environment can modulate the ASD phenotype. Early isolation has been associated with the development of autistic-, anxiety-, and depressive-like behaviors. In this study, we investigated behavioral alterations in offspring exposed to prenatal LPS, neonatal isolation and the combination of both factors. The results indicated that male offspring are susceptible to the ASD model, while female offspring are susceptible to the development of anxiety-like behavior. Isolation alone was not related to any behavioral changes, however, when associated with prenatal LPS exposure, prevented some of the damage caused by the ASD model.