Impaired synaptic function and hyperexcitability of the pyramidal neurons in the prefrontal cortex of autism-associated Shank3 mutant dogs
Zhu F, Shi Q, Jiang Y, Zhang Y, Zhao H. Impaired synaptic function and hyperexcitability of the pyramidal neurons in the prefrontal cortex of autism-associated Shank3 mutant dogs. Molecular Autism 2024, 15: 9. PMID: 38297387, PMCID: PMC10829216, DOI: 10.1186/s13229-024-00587-4.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPrefrontal cortexPyramidal neuronsSHANK3 mutationsPrefrontal cortex neuronal activityPrefrontal cortex pyramidal neuronsSocial behaviorBrain slicesPrefrontal cortex's roleSynaptic transmissionPrefrontal cortex layersStudy social cognitionAutism spectrum disorderAutism-like behaviorsDendritic spine morphologyReduced dendritic complexitySocial cognitionSocial impairmentBehavioral alterationsNeural mechanismsExcitatory synaptic transmissionMutant rodent modelsHeightened anxietySpectrum disorderSpine densityImpaired synaptic function