Astroglial conditional Slc13a3 knockout is therapeutic in murine Canavan leukodystrophy.

Canavan disease is a leukodystrophy caused by ASPA mutations that diminish oligodendroglial aspartoacylase activity, and is characterized by markedly elevated brain concentrations of the aspartoacylase substrate N-acetyl-l-aspartate (NAA) and by astroglial and intramyelinic vacuolation. Astroglia express NaDC3 (encoded by SLC13A3), a sodium-coupled transporter for NAA and other dicarboxylates. Astroglial conditional Slc13a3 deletion in aspartoacylase-deficient Canavan disease model mice ("CD mice") reversed brain NAA elevation and improved motor function.

[Interactive capacities of children aged 4 to 7 months with a child of the same age].

In this article we report on the first results of a research on the abilities and interactive behaviors of 16 infants aged from 4 to 7 months, with an infant of the same age. These infants are studied in dyads from the moment they are seated by their mother in two experimental seats. The position and distance of the seats are regulated at distance according to a procedure consisting in 8 phases of 3 minute duration each.