Presentation Details
Altered odor-mediated social behavior in a model of Fragile X Syndrome

Lucy C.Irvine2, Navarrete Marcela1, Joaquin De la Rosa1, Juan Zegers2, Ricardo C.Araneda2, Alexia Nunez-Parra1, Jorge Mpodozis1.

1Department of Biology, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile.2Department of Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA

Abstract


Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by intellectual disability and difficulties in social interaction. In mice, the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB) is implied in the processing of chemical cues that trigger social and sexual behaviors. In addition, the olfactory bulb shows high levels of Fragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein (FMRP) during neurodevelopment, the absent protein in the FXS. Here, we show that the Fmr1 KO mice, a model of FXS, exhibit abnormal odor-mediated social behaviors. Male Fmr1 KO mice show reduced investigation of conspecifics and social odors (urine and soiled bedding), as well as impaired discrimination between social odors.  We have previously shown that the volumetric ratio between anterior and posterior regions of AOB was smaller in Fmr1 KO compared to WT mice. Together, these findings suggest that disruption in AOB signaling can explain the lesser sociability of these mice. Accordingly, we found that mitral cells (MCs), projection neurons of the AOB, exhibit altered excitability in Fmr1 KO mice, with faster membrane time constant, and action potential duration. In addition, the firing in MCs, elicited by current stimuli, was lower in Fmr1 KO mice, suggesting reduced excitability of MCs. In conclusion, the anatomy and physiological differences in the AOB of the Fmr1 KO mouse could partly explain their deficit in odor-mediated social behavior.

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