Authors:

Rineet Ranga

Date Created:

Not specified

Course Title:

Professor:

Not specified

About Paper:

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting 1 in 36 children, characterized by deficits in social communication and interaction. SCN2A, a gene encoding a sodium ion channel (Nav1.2), has been identified as one of the leading monogenic causes of ASD. Our lab has characterized a novel mouse model of SCN2A deficiency, which recapitulates many of the phenotypes seen in ASD patients, such as social deficits. Ketamine, an N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, has recently been evaluated as a therapeutic in autistic children, showing significant improvement in social communication and social withdrawal. Ketamine also increases serotonin release in major brain regions affected in ASD, like the prefrontal cortex. Using the Three-chamber assay, we aim to determine if acute injections of ketamine produce prosocial effects in Scn2a-deficient mice. To better understand through which receptors ketamine could be eliciting its prosocial effects, 7-Cholrokynuric acid, an NMDA receptor antagonist, as well as CP-94, 253, and Psilocybin, 5HT1B and 5HT2A receptor agonists were evaluated. Keywords: Ketamine; Social Deficits; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Psilocybin; SCN2A

Source:

Purdue University / 2024

Topics:

No topics listed

Co-authors:

Rineet Ranga