bioRxiv · 10.1101/800425
Control of Social Withdrawal of Mice Deficient for the Autism Gene Magel2 by Restoration of Vasopressin-Oxytocin Dialogue in Septum
Abstract
Intellectual and social disabilities are common comorbidities in adolescents and adults with Magel2 gene deficiency characterizing the Prader-Willi and Schaaf-Yang neurodevelopmental syndromes. The cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the risk for autism in these syndromes are unexplored. Here we used Magel2 knockout mice combined with optogenetic/pharmacological tools to characterize disease modifications in the social brain network. We find that the degree of social novelty moderates a dialogue between vasopressin and oxytocin in the lateral septum, a region organizing sequential content of sensory experiences. Social withdrawal of mice lacking Magel2 is alleviated by restoration of dialogue-lead by vasopressin. This preclinical study identifies the collective actions of vasopressin and oxytocin in the lateral septum as a key factor in the pathophysiology.
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Borie, A. M., Dromard, Y., Dufner, D., Pollozi, E., Huzard, D., Tomboli, C., Olma, A., Manning, M., Colson, P., Guillon, G., Muscatelli, F., Desarmenien, M. G., Jeanneteau, F.. 2019-10-10. Control of Social Withdrawal of Mice Deficient for the Autism Gene Magel2 by Restoration of Vasopressin-Oxytocin Dialogue in Septum. https://doi.org/10.1101/800425
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