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Review
. 2013 Aug 15:251:25-34.
doi: 10.1016/j.bbr.2012.07.021. Epub 2012 Aug 9.

The BTBR T+ tf/J mouse model for autism spectrum disorders-in search of biomarkers

Ksenia Z Meyza  1 , Erwin B Defensor, Ashley L Jensen, Michael J Corley, Brandon L Pearson, Roger L H Pobbe, Valerie J Bolivar, D Caroline Blanchard, Robert J Blanchard
Affiliations
Review

The BTBR T+ tf/J mouse model for autism spectrum disorders-in search of biomarkers

Ksenia Z Meyza et al. Behav Brain Res. .

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) form a common group of neurodevelopmental disorders appearing to be under polygenic control, but also strongly influenced by multiple environmental factors. The brain mechanisms responsible for ASD are not understood and animal models paralleling related emotional and cognitive impairments may prove helpful in unraveling them. BTBR T+ tf/J (BTBR) mice display behaviors consistent with the three diagnostic categories for ASD. They show impaired social interaction and communication as well as increased repetitive behaviors. This review covers much of the data available to date on BTBR behavior, neuroanatomy and physiology in search for candidate biomarkers, which could both serve as diagnostic tools and help to design effective treatments for the behavioral symptoms of ASD.

Keywords: Agenesis of corpus callosum; Autism spectrum disorder; BTBR T(+)tf/J mouse; Biomarkers; Social interaction.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Social interactions are reduced in BTBR mice tested in the semi-natural Visible Burrow System. All comparisons between BTBR and B6 mice are significant, p < 0.05. Approach front (AF), approach back (AB), flight (FL), follow and chase (FO), self groom (SG), and allogroom (AG) are presented as mean frequency ± SEM. Alone (AL) and huddle (HU) are presented as percentage of total time ± SEM. Modified from [32].
Figure 2
Figure 2
Individual grooming components are elevated in BTBR mice. All comparisons between BTBR and B6 mice are significant, p < 0.05. Data are presented as mean frequency ± SEM. Modified from [53].
Figure 3
Figure 3
Brain heparan sulfate and plasma sulfate levels are decreased in BTBR mice. All comparisons between BTBR mice and other strains are significant, p < 0.05. A. The intensity of heparan sulfate immunolabelling (on 1–256 scale of greyness) in the fractones located around lateral ventricles. B. Photomicrograph showing the difference in the size of the lateral ventricles and the number of heparan sulfate positive fractones surrounding the ventricles in B6 and BTBR mice; scale bar represents 250um. C. Plasma sulfate levels in BTBR mice as compared with B6 and CD-1 mice. A and B modified from [76]; C modified from [86].
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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