The valproate model of autism

Abstract

Autism is a neuro-developmental pathology affecting 1 out of 100 children worldwide. The trauma and social consequences induced by autism are a real public health issue. Clinically, autism is characterized primarily by communications and social interactions deficits associated with repetitive behaviors and restricted interests. The term of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is used to account for the diversity of symptoms that characterize this pathology. Based on observations made in humans, a rodent (rats and mice) model of autism was obtained and validated by prenatal exposure to sodium valproate. Using this model, mechanisms that concern both the functioning of neural networks and the properties of neurons have been proposed to account for some disorders that characterize autism. This model is also widely used in pre-clinical studies to evaluate new therapies against ASD.