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

• Published in: Neuropharmacology Vol. 118; pp. 175 - 187
• Main Authors: Cai, Yulong, Wang, Lian, Xiao, Rui, Li, Xin, He, Xie, Gao, Junwei, Xu, Haiwei, Fan, Xiaotang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 15.05.2017
• Subjects: Adaptation, Ocular - drug effects; Analysis of Variance; Anesthetics, Intravenous - therapeutic use; Animals; Autism spectrum disorder; 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; Propofol - therapeutic use; Repetitive behaviors; Social approach; Propofol; Autism spectrum disorder; Social approach; Repetitive behaviors
• ISSN: 0028-3908; 1873-7064
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.03.021

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. •Propofol was the first time to be used in the model of ASD.•Propofol could improve social approach and repetitive behaviors in BTBR mice.•This findings support the hypothesis that enhancing inhibitory synaptic transmission offers a therapeutic strategy for ASD.