Behavioral tests in rodents for the study of autistic spectrum disorder

Abstract

Autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder in which its behavioral changes and the developmental stages of these changes can be investigated using animal models of ASD and by conducting behavioral tests to assess the changes. This research aimed to carry out a survey in the literature on the animal behavioral models used to study the autistic spectrum disorder and the correlation of these models with human behavior in ASD, through is a narrative review conducted based on the search for scientific articles on the study theme from June to September 2019, using the Medline, Web of Science and Clinical Key databases. In the TEA study, behavioral tests are performed based on the clinical characteristics and manifestations of the disorder. These tests are performed on animals and used to assess the potential inducer of substances for the development of ASD and in studies conducted to evaluate potential drugs or non-pharmacological therapies for the treatment of the disorder. The most commonly used tests are: Open field test, glass ball burial test (marble burying test), social interaction test, repetitive self-cleaning behavior test, elevated plus maze test, olfactory habituation test, social odors, and light-dark test. When surveying the behavioral tests used in experimental research on animals on the autism spectrum disorder, the importance of these in vivo models of TEA study is reiterated, enabling a greater understanding of behavioral changes and, consequently, a better understanding of this disorder.