Deja vu'' in an autism gene mouse model modifies social mores

Article Neurosciences

Absence of familiarity triggers hallmarks of autism in mouse model through aberrant tail-of-striatum and prelimbic cortex signaling

Sebastian Kruttner et al.

Summary: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), influenced by genetic and environmental factors, can be triggered by exposure to unfamiliar environments. This study shows that in Shank3(Delta C/Delta C) ASD model mice, exposure to novel environments without familiar features leads to long-lasting lack of engagement and repetitive behaviors. Including familiar features during initial exposure can prevent enhanced dopamine transients and restore engagement control to normal levels. Environmental enrichment can prevent ASD-like phenotypes by reducing the reliance on specific brain activity.

NEURON (2022)

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Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Reset of hippocampal-prefrontal circuitry facilitates learning

Alan J. Park et al.

Summary: Novelty helps reset neural circuits in the brain to promote adaptive learning. Exposure to novelty environment reorganizes neural circuits in mice, enhancing learning-related plasticity, and this effect can be mediated by dopamine D1 receptors.

NATURE (2021)

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Article Biochemistry & Molecular Biology