Alterações no neurodesenvolvimento e presença de endofenótipos do Transtorno do Espectro Autista em prole de ratos submetida ao isolamento social

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impairments in sociability and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, and activities. Given the influence of environmental factors on ASD, this study assessed the temporal effects of social isolation on male and female Wistar rat offspring regarding neurodevelopmental markers and ASD endophenotypes. Animals were monitored from birth (DPN 1) to adulthood (DPN 60) and subjected to varying periods of isolation. Physical developmental milestones and behavioral tests assessing sociability, memory, and anhedonia were conducted. After behavioral analysis, samples were collected for histopathological evaluation of neuronal viability, microgliosis, astrogliosis, and oxidative stress markers. Results indicated that social isolation delayed development and impaired behavior, with notable sex differences: males showed greater impairments, while females exhibited increased synaptic and glial markers, possibly indicating adaptive responses. These findings support the use of social isolation as a model to study environmental risk factors involved in ASD symptomatology.