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Inchworming: A Novel Motor Stereotypy in the BTBR T+ Itpr3tf/J Mouse Model of Autism
Published on: July 5, 2014
Cannabidiol is a behavioral modulator in BTBR mouse model of idiopathic autism
Sarah H Shrader1, Nicholas Mellen2, Jun Cai1,3
1Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, United States.
Insights
Cannabidiol (CBD) effectively reduced autism-like behaviors in mice. Different CBD doses targeted specific symptoms, suggesting its potential for treating repetitive behaviors, social deficits, and hyperactivity in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Genetics
Background:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) prevalence is increasing, affecting 1 in 36 U.S. children.
- Core ASD symptoms include social interaction deficits, communication problems, and repetitive behaviors.
- Current pharmacological treatments for core ASD symptoms are lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of Cannabidiol (CBD) on autism-like behaviors in BTBR mice, an established model for idiopathic ASD.
- To determine if CBD can attenuate core ASD-like behaviors and associated comorbidities.
Main Methods:
- Male BTBR mice received daily intraperitoneal injections of vehicle, 20 mg/kg CBD, or 50 mg/kg CBD for two weeks.
- Behavioral assays were conducted on the final treatment day to assess CBD's effects.
- CBD's impact was compared to age-matched, vehicle-treated C57BL/6J mice.
Main Results:
- High-dose (50 mg/kg) CBD significantly reduced repetitive self-grooming and hyperactivity in BTBR mice.
- Low-dose (20 mg/kg) CBD treatment ameliorated social deficits in BTBR mice.
- CBD demonstrated dose-dependent effects on specific autism-related behaviors.
Conclusions:
- Different CBD dosages may be required to effectively treat distinct ASD-related behaviors.
- CBD shows promise as a potential therapeutic agent for ameliorating repetitive behaviors, social deficits, and hyperactivity associated with ASD.
- Further research is warranted to explore CBD's efficacy in managing core ASD symptoms and comorbidities.
Introduction:
The prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has drastically risen over the last two decades and is currently estimated to affect 1 in 36 children in the U.S., according to the center for disease control (CDC). This heterogenous neurodevelopmental disorder is characterized by impaired social interactions, communication deficits, and repetitive behaviors plus restricted interest. Autistic individuals also commonly present with a myriad of comorbidities, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, and seizures. To date, a pharmacological intervention for the treatment of core autistic symptoms has not been identified. Cannabidiol (CBD), the major nonpsychoactive constituent of Cannabis sativa, is suggested to have multiple therapeutic applications, but its effect(s) on idiopathic autism is unknown. We hypothesized that CBD will effectively attenuate the autism-like behaviors and autism-associated comorbid behaviors in BTBR T+Itpr3tf/J (BTBR) mice, an established mouse model of idiopathic ASD.
Methods:
Male BTBR mice were injected intraperitoneally with either vehicle, 20 mg/kg CBD or 50 mg/kg CBD daily for two weeks beginning at postnatal day 21 ± 3. On the final treatment day, a battery of behavioral assays were used to evaluate the effects of CBD on the BTBR mice, as compared to age-matched, vehicle-treated C57BL/6 J mice.
Results:
High dose (50 mg/kg) CBD treatment attenuated the elevated repetitive self-grooming behavior and hyperlocomotion in BTBR mice. The social deficits exhibited by the control BTBR mice were rescued by the 20 mg/kg CBD treatment.
Discussion:
Our data indicate that different doses for CBD are needed for treating specific ASD-like behaviors. Together, our results suggest that CBD may be an effective drug to ameliorate repetitive/restricted behaviors, social deficits, and autism-associated hyperactivity.
