| Abstract No.: | C-C3086 |
| Country: | Canada |
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| Title: | THE IMPACT OF A VIRAL CHALLENGE IN UTERO ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR |
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| Authors/Affiliations: | 1 Lori Wollaston*; 1 Robyn MacKenzie; 1 Geoff Hall; 1 Jane Foster;
1 McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
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| Content: | Autism is a developmental disorder that is characterized by deficits in social behaviour that appear early in life. Recent literature indicates a strong genetic component in autism and this genetic evidence suggests a role for synaptic maturation. It is not clear whether there is a link between synaptic alterations and social behaviour. Environmental factors have also been shown to play a role in the etiology of autism and environmental challenge-based animal models are available to study the molecular basis of autistic-like behaviours. Previous studies have shown autistic-like behaviours resulting from an immune challenge during critical periods in gestation. We selected this model to examine the link between deficits in social behaviour and synaptic function. Objective: To examine the impact of in utero immune challenge on the development of social behaviour in the offspring. Methods: Pregnant dams (mice) were given an i.p. injection (5mg/kg) of polyribioinosinic-polyriobocytidilic acid (Poly I:C) or saline on embryonic day 10. Postnatal growth and development of the offspring was measured by recording weights and eye opening. Social behaviour of the pups was assessed on postnatal day 17, day 42 and day 70 using a three-chamber apparatus. In this 2-stage testing paradigm, sociability to a stranger mouse was tested followed by social novelty, which compared interactions with a stranger versus familiar mouse. Following behavioural testing, brain tissue was collected on postnatal days 28, 70 and 105. We plan to examine synaptic protein changes using Western blot analysis. Results: Behavioural results showed that an in utero immune challenge alters the development of social behaviour in mice. Data to date show that there is altered social behaviour in the poly I:C infected pup compared to the saline pup at the pre-weaning age of day 17 for both sociability and social novelty. This phenotypic behaviour was not present on postnatal day 42 and 70. Additional analysis is ongoing. Conclusions: In conclusion, environmental factors such as an in utero immune challenge may cause alterations in social behaviour, therefore providing a link between an autistic-like behaviour and underlying neurobiological mechanisms. |
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