The influence of valproic acid on aggressiveness and locomotor activity in a zebrafish model of Autistic Spectrum Disorder
The influence of valproic acid on aggressiveness and locomotor activity in a zebrafish model of Autistic Spectrum Disorder

Summary/Abstract: The paper aims to analyse the effect induced by valproic acid (VPA) in relation to the typical behavior of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The VPA administered in both prenatal and postnatal periods triggers the autistic symptoms. The deficiencies induced by VPA could be morphological and physiological with direct results that are reflected externally by typical ASD behavior: impaired musculoskeletal activity, hyperactivity, stereotyped behavior, communication and social aggressiveness. The behavioral conditions observed are swim performance and aggressiveness induced by the administration of 200 μm of VPA. These behavioral patterns can be tracked in the vertebrate model by analysing the swim performance using an open space test reproduced in the T- maze. During the test, the maze was adapted to study the state of aggressiveness induced by exposure to valproic acid. The uptake of the test was achieved by introducing a visual stimulus (provided by mirror reflection prop) into the left arm of the maze. The stimulus is intended to show the behavior of the aquatic model in relation to the reflection, which is meant to generate the reaction to image props and the reaction to a conspecific.

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