| Title: | Social Isolation Alters Social and Mating Behavior in the R451C Neuroligin Mouse Model of Autism |
| Author(s): | Burrows EL; Eastwood AF; May C; Kolbe SC; Hill T; McLachlan NM; Churilov L; Hannan AJ; |
| Address: | "Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia. Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia. Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia. Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, 245 Burgundy St, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia. Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia" |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 1687-5443 (Electronic) 2090-5904 (Print) 1687-5443 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder typified by impaired social communication and restrictive and repetitive behaviors. Mice serve as an ideal candidate organism for studying the neural mechanisms that subserve these symptoms. The Neuroligin-3 (NL3) mouse, expressing a R451C mutation discovered in two Swedish brothers with ASD, exhibits impaired social interactions and heightened aggressive behavior towards male mice. Social interactions with female mice have not been characterized and in the present study were assessed in male NL3(R451C) and WT mice. Mice were housed in social and isolation conditions to test for isolation-induced increases in social interaction. Tests were repeated to investigate potential differences in interaction in naive and experienced mice. We identified heightened interest in mating and atypical aggressive behavior in NL3(R451C) mice. NL3(R451C) mice exhibited normal social interaction with WT females, indicating that abnormal aggressive behavior towards females is not due to altered motivation to engage. Social isolation rearing heightened interest in social behavior in all mice. Isolation housing selectively modulated the response to female pheromones in NL3(R451C) mice. This study is the first to show altered mating behavior in the NL3(R451C) mouse and has provided new insights into the aggressive phenotype in this model" |
| Keywords: | "Aggression/*physiology Animals Autism Spectrum Disorder/*genetics/*psychology Behavior, Animal Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal/*genetics Disease Models, Animal Female Male Membrane Proteins/*genetics Mice Mice, Inbred C57BL Mice, Transgenic Mutation Ner;Neuroscience;" |
| Notes: | "MedlineBurrows, E L Eastwood, A F May, C Kolbe, S C Hill, T McLachlan, N M Churilov, L Hannan, A J eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't 2017/03/04 Neural Plast. 2017; 2017:8361290. doi: 10.1155/2017/8361290. Epub 2017 Jan 31" |
