PAVLOVIAN CONDITIONED ODOUR MEMORY IN THE NRXN1+/- MOUSE MODEL OF AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER AND MODULATION ON DOPAMINE CIRCUITRY

Abstract

Individuals with autism are impaired not only in social behaviors, but also in higher-order sensory processes. Neurexin-1, a presynaptic cell adhesion molecule is also commonly affected in autism. Here we asked whether olfactory learning ability correlates with dopamine (DA) signalling in the olfactory system and memory strength in Nrxn1 deficient mice. Nrxn1+/- and wildtype control mice were conditioned to dig in an odour pot in a 1-day Pavlovian conditioning protocol. Short- and long-term memory was tested, then DA target gene expression was measured in selected olfactory system brain regions. Conditioned mice dug more than unconditioned mice during trials, indicating digging behaviour reflects olfactory learning and memory. DA target gene expression differed between memory test groups and sugar consumption was correlated with DRD2 expression in a region-specific manner. The region-specific changes in DA receptor expression appeared to be associated with DA activity in response to sugar consumption and odour presentation.