Microbe-Immune-Stress Interactions Impact Behaviour during Postnatal Development.

Decades of research have established the role of microbiota-brain communication in behaviour and brain function. Studies have shown that microbiota composition and diversity are influenced by a variety of factors including host genetics, diet, and other environmental exposures, with implications for the immunological and neurobiological development of the host organism. To further understand early-life interactions between environment, genetic factors, the microbiome and the central nervous system, we investigated the impact of postnatal stress in C57Bl/6 wild type and T-cell deficient mice on microbe-brain interactions and behaviour.

Predictors of Changes in Daily Activity in Transition-Age Autistic Youth.

Transitioning into adulthood is fraught with challenges for autistic youth. A greater understanding of the facilitators of community involvement in school and employment during this period is warranted. The current study examines changes in service need and receipt, and the stability of accessing daily structured activities, for autistic young adults over their transition period compared to adolescents and adults that did not enter the transition period.

Effects of exercise and enrichment on behaviour in CD-1 mice.

A host of scholarly work has characterized the positive effects of exercise and environmental enrichment on behaviour and cognition in animal studies. The purpose of this study was to investigate the uptake and longitudinal impact of exercise and enrichment on the behavioural phenotype of male and female CD-1 mice. CD-1 mice housed in standard (STD) or exercise and enrichment (EE) conditions post-weaning were tested in the 3-chamber sociability test, open field, and elevated plus maze and exercise activity was monitored throughout the enrichment protocol.

Priority service needs and receipt across the lifespan for individuals with autism spectrum disorder.

Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have a range of health, community, and social support needs across the lifespan that create age-specific challenges in navigating service sectors. In this study, we set out to identify the priority needs of individuals with ASD across the lifespan, and the factors that predict receiving priority services. Participants included 3,317 individuals with ASD from a Canada-wide online caregiver survey, stratified into five age groups (preschool, elementary school age, adolescence, emerging adulthood, adulthood).

Developmental expression of the neuroligins and neurexins in fragile X mice.

Neuroligins and neurexins are transsynaptic proteins involved in the maturation of glutamatergic and GABAergic synapses. Research has identified synaptic proteins and function as primary contributors to the development of fragile X syndrome. Fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP), the protein that is lacking in fragile X syndrome, binds neuroligin-1 and -3 mRNA.

Temporal and spectral differences in the ultrasonic vocalizations of fragile X knock out mice during postnatal development.

The fmr1 knock out (KO) mouse has been a useful animal model to understand pathology and treatment of FXS, both anatomically and behaviorally. Ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) are a behavioral tool to assess early life communication deficits in mice. Here, we report on the temporal and spectral features of USVs emitted after maternal separation in wild type (FVB/N) and fmr1 KO pups at postnatal days (P) P4, P7 and P10.

In utero exposure to valproic acid and autism--a current review of clinical and animal studies.

Valproic acid (VPA) is both an anti-convulsant and a mood stabilizer. Clinical studies over the past 40 years have shown that exposure to VPA in utero is associated with birth defects, cognitive deficits, and increased risk of autism. Two recent FDA warnings related to use of VPA in pregnancy emphasize the need to reevaluate its use clinically during child-bearing years.

Synaptically-competent neurons derived from canine embryonic stem cells by lineage selection with EGF and Noggin.

Pluripotent stem cell lines have been generated in several domestic animal species; however, these lines traditionally show poor self-renewal and differentiation. Using canine embryonic stem cell (cESC) lines previously shown to have sufficient self-renewal capacity and potency, we generated and compared canine neural stem cell (cNSC) lines derived by lineage selection with epidermal growth factor (EGF) or Noggin along the neural default differentiation pathway, or by directed differentiation with retinoic acid (RA)-induced floating sphere assay. Lineage selection produced large populations of SOX2+ neural stem/progenitor cell populations and neuronal derivatives while directed differentiation produced few and improper neuronal derivatives.