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Activation of the medial preoptic area (MPOA) ameliorates loss of maternal behavior in a Shank2 mouse model for autism
Author(s) -
Grabrucker Stefanie,
Pagano Jessica,
Schweizer Johanna,
UrrutiaRuiz Carolina,
Schön Michael,
Thome Kevin,
Ehret Günter,
Grabrucker Andreas M,
Zhang Rong,
Hengerer Bastian,
Bockmann Jürgen,
Verpelli Chiara,
Sala Carlo,
Boeckers Tobias M
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
the embo journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 7.484
H-Index - 392
eISSN - 1460-2075
pISSN - 0261-4189
DOI - 10.15252/embj.2019104267
Subject(s) - biology , preoptic area , autism , neuroscience , hypothalamus , medicine , endocrinology , developmental psychology , psychology
Impairments in social relationships and awareness are features observed in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). However, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Shank2 is a high‐confidence ASD candidate gene and localizes primarily to postsynaptic densities (PSDs) of excitatory synapses in the central nervous system (CNS). We show here that loss of Shank2 in mice leads to a lack of social attachment and bonding behavior towards pubs independent of hormonal, cognitive, or sensitive deficits. Shank2 −/− mice display functional changes in nuclei of the social attachment circuit that were most prominent in the medial preoptic area (MPOA) of the hypothalamus. Selective enhancement of MPOA activity by DREADD technology re‐established social bonding behavior in Shank2 −/− mice, providing evidence that the identified circuit might be crucial for explaining how social deficits in ASD can arise.