Autism-like behavior in the BTBR mouse model of autism is improved by propofol

Yulong Cai; Lian Wang; Rui Xiao; Xin Li; Xie He; Junwei Gao; Haiwei Xu; Xiaotang Fan

doi:10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.03.021

Autism-like behavior in the BTBR mouse model of autism is improved by propofol

Neuropharmacology. 2017 May 15:118:175-187. doi: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.03.021. Epub 2017 Mar 21.

Authors

Yulong Cai¹, Lian Wang¹, Rui Xiao¹, Xin Li¹, Xie He¹, Junwei Gao¹, Haiwei Xu², Xiaotang Fan³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Developmental Neuropsychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, PR China.
² Southwest Eye Hospital, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, PR China.
³ Department of Developmental Neuropsychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, PR China. Electronic address: fanxiaotang2005@163.com.

PMID: 28341205
DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.03.021

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder that is characterized by symptoms of impaired social interactions, restricted interests and repetitive behaviors. Recent studies in humans and animal-models suggest that reduced GABAergic neurotransmission in the brain may underlie autism-related behavioral symptoms. It has been shown that propofol, a commonly used anesthetic, facilitates γ-aminobutyric acid-mediated inhibitory synaptic transmission. The present study investigated whether propofol improved autistic phenotypes in BTBR T + Itpr3tf/J (BTBR) mice, a model of idiopathic autism. We found that i.p. injection of propofol in BTBR mice significantly improved aspects of social approach and repetitive behaviors without affecting reciprocal social interactions and without any detrimental effects in C57BL/6J mice. The ability of propofol to improve autistic phenotypes in BTBR mice through GABAergic neurotransmission suggests a potential pharmacological target for interventions to treat symptoms of autism.

Keywords: Autism spectrum disorder; Propofol; Repetitive behaviors; Social approach.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adaptation, Ocular / drug effects
Analysis of Variance
Anesthetics, Intravenous / therapeutic use*
Animals
Autistic Disorder / drug therapy*
Autistic Disorder / genetics
Autistic Disorder / physiopathology*
Disease Models, Animal
Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
Exploratory Behavior / drug effects
Female
Grooming / drug effects
Interpersonal Relations
Male
Maze Learning / drug effects
Mice
Mice, Inbred C57BL
Mice, Inbred Strains
Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics
Propofol / therapeutic use*

Substances

Anesthetics, Intravenous
Disc1 protein, mouse
Nerve Tissue Proteins
Propofol