Effects of chronic exposure to low dose THIP on brainstem neuronal excitability in mouse models of Rett syndrome: Evidence from symptomatic females.

Rett Syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by mutations of the MECP2 gene, affecting predominantly females. One of the characteristic features of the disease is defective brainstem autonomic function. In Mecp2 mice, several groups of brainstem neurons are overly excitable, which causes destabilization of neuronal networks for the autonomic control.

Effects of early-life exposure to THIP on phenotype development in a mouse model of Rett syndrome.

Background: Rett syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused mostly by disruptions in the gene. -null mice show imbalances in neuronal excitability and synaptic communications. Several previous studies indicate that augmenting synaptic GABA receptors (GABARs) can alleviate RTT-like symptoms in mice.