Deep-Learning-Based Analysis Reveals a Social Behavior Deficit in Mice Exposed Prenatally to Nicotine

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Biology
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Prenatal nicotine exposure (PNE) is linked to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
• Deep learning offers unbiased behavioral analysis in animal models.
• The comorbidity of ADHD and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) warrants further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the behavioral and neurobiological effects of PNE in mice.
• To utilize deep learning for high-fidelity behavioral phenotyping.
• To assess the potential of PNE as a risk factor for ADHD and ASD comorbidities.

Main Methods:

• Establishment of a PNE mouse model.
• High-fidelity behavioral analysis using DeepLabCut and SimBA for pose estimation.
• Evaluation of adult hippocampal neurogenesis in PNE mice.

Main Results:

• PNE mice displayed impulsivity and working memory deficits characteristic of ADHD.
• PNE mice exhibited increased anxiety and social interaction deficits, similar to ASD.
• A significant decrease in adult hippocampal neurogenesis was observed in PNE mice, particularly in the ventral hippocampus.

Conclusions:

• PNE induces ADHD-like and ASD-like behavioral phenotypes in mice.
• PNE is associated with reduced hippocampal neurogenesis, a hallmark of ASD.
• These findings support PNE as a potential risk factor for the comorbidity of ADHD and ASD.