Abstract #0223
V1a antagonism normalizes a social brain network in valproate rat model of autism revealed by functional MRI
Thomas Mueggler 1 , Dany D D'Souza 1 , Barbara Biemans 1 , Andreas Bruns 1 , Basil Knnecke 1 , Patrick Schnider 2 , Christophe Grundschober 1 , and Markus von Kienlin 1
1
Pharma Research & Early Development, DTA
Neuroscience, Hoffmann-La Roche, Basel, Basel-City,
Switzerland,
2
Pharma
Research & Early Development, Small Molecule Research,
Hoffmann-La Roche, Basel, Basel-City, Switzerland
The neuropeptide vasopressin is thought to play an
important role in regulating social behavior. Here we
investigated its role in the rat valproate (VPA) model
of autism which has phenotypical changes similar to the
human condition. In VPA rats we identified altered
perfusion as a surrogate of disturbed neural activity in
brain regions implicated in social behavior. Chronic
treatment with a vasopressin V
1a
receptor-specific
antagonist, reversed perfusion deficits in key regions
such as the striatum, ventral tegmental area and
superior colliculus suggesting that V
1a
antagonists
have the potential to improve core symptoms of autism
such as social interaction.
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