Cerebellar associative sensory learning defects in five mouse autism models

Alexander D. Kloth, Aleksandra Badura, Amy Li, Adriana Cherskov, Sara G. Connolly, Andrea Giovannucci, M. Ali Bangash, Giorgio Grasselli, Olga Peñ Agarikano, Claire Piochon, Peter T. Tsai, Daniel H. Geschwind, Christian Hansel, Mustafa Sahin, Toru Takumi, Paul F. Worley, Samuel S.H. Wang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

62 Scopus citations

Abstract

Sensory integration difficulties have been reported in autism, but their underlying braincircuit mechanisms are underexplored. Using five autism-related mouse models, Shank3+/ΔC, Mecp2R308/Y, Cntnap2−/−, L7-Tsc1 (L7/Pcp2Cre::Tsc1flox/+), and patDp(15q11-13)/+, we report specific perturbations in delay eyeblink conditioning, a form of associative sensory learning requiring cerebellar plasticity. By distinguishing perturbations in the probability and characteristics of learned responses, we found that probability was reduced in Cntnap2−/−, patDp(15q11-13)/+, and L7/Pcp2Cre::Tsc1flox/+, which are associated with Purkinje-cell/deep-nuclear gene expression, along with Shank3+/ΔC. Amplitudes were smaller in L7/Pcp2Cre::Tsc1flox/+ as well as Shank3+/ΔC and Mecp2R308/Y, which are associated with granule cell pathway expression. Shank3+/ΔC and Mecp2R308/Y also showed aberrant response timing and reduced Purkinje-cell dendritic spine density. Overall, our observations are potentially accounted for by defects in instructed learning in the olivocerebellar loop and response representation in the granule cell pathway. Our findings indicate that defects in associative temporal binding of sensory events are widespread in autism mouse models.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numbere06085
JournaleLife
Volume4
Issue numberJULY 2015
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 9 2015

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience
  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • General Immunology and Microbiology

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