| |
| author | Marybeth Wynen |
| title | Behavioral changes in a chronically administered Propionic Acid rat model of Autism Spectrum Disorders |
| abstract |
Spatial cognition, sociability and novelty preference, and anxiety-like behaviors were examined in a Propionic Acid (PPA) rat model of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs).
Impact of sex and method of administration were of additional interest. We infused the drug over five days for chronic administration as opposed to acute administration
to see if chronic exposure could produce similar behavioral changes. A first cohort of animals was given PPA through cannulas surgically implanted in the brain's
intraventricular system. Acquisition and reversal training in the Morris Water Maze was conducted. No significant differences in search latency were found. Animals
were tested for sociability impairments in a three-chamber sociability paradigm. No significant differences between PPA animals and controls were found. There was no
impact of sex. Animals were run in an acoustic startle response test to assess anxiety-like behaviors. There was an effect of decibel and an effect of sex, such that
males startled more. There was no effect of treatment. A second cohort of animals were given PPA intraperitoneally and run in the sociability protocol and acoustic
startle response testing. No differences between treatment or sexes were found for sociability or acoustic startle. However, there was an effect of decibel and light
on startle. Together, these results suggest that chronic administration of PPA may not produce the behavioral impairments in spatial cognition, sociability, and
anxiety seen in previous literature employing acute administration. Implications of this are further discussed.
|
| school | The College of Liberal Arts, Drew University |
| degree | B.A. (2018) |
| advisor | Graham Cousens |
| committee | Chris Medvecky
Hilary Kalagher |
| full text | MWynen.pdf |
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