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Hyperplasticity in the amygdala of rat Model by prenatal exposure to valproic acid
Author(s) -
Lin HuiChing,
Chan YunHan,
Chen Po See
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.27.1_supplement.662.16
Subject(s) - amygdala , offspring , long term potentiation , valproic acid , autism , neuroscience , anxiety , synaptic plasticity , psychology , central nucleus of the amygdala , anticonvulsant , medicine , endocrinology , epilepsy , developmental psychology , biology , psychiatry , pregnancy , genetics , receptor
Amygdala is the brain area involved in socio‐emotional behavior. However, the role of amygdala in autism remains inconclusive. Here, we used 28–35 days valproate (VPA)‐induced rat model of autism to observe the autistic phenotypes and evaluate their synaptic characteristics in the lateral nucleus (LA) of the amygdala. The VPA‐treated offspring demonstrated less social interaction and increased anxiety. Slice preparation and electrophysiological recordings of the LA were performed in the VPA‐treated offspring. The magnitude of long term potentiation (LTP) was significantly higher in the VPA‐exposed than saline‐exposed offsprings. These results indicated the enhancement of synaptic plasticity in the LA might contribute to autism in the VPA‐treated offspring.