Sangam: A Confluence of Knowledge Streams

Communication Impairments in Mice Lacking Shank1: Reduced Levels of Ultrasonic Vocalizations and Scent Marking Behavior

Show simple item record

dc.contributor Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences
dc.contributor Picower Institute for Learning and Memory
dc.contributor Sheng, Morgan Hwa-Tze
dc.contributor Hung, Albert Y.
dc.contributor Sheng, Morgan Hwa-Tze
dc.creator Wohr, Markus
dc.creator Roullet, Florence I.
dc.creator Hung, Albert Y.
dc.creator Sheng, Morgan Hwa-Tze
dc.creator Crawley, Jacqueline N.
dc.date 2011-09-02T14:59:27Z
dc.date 2011-09-02T14:59:27Z
dc.date 2011-06
dc.date 2011-01
dc.date.accessioned 2023-03-01T18:09:11Z
dc.date.available 2023-03-01T18:09:11Z
dc.identifier 1932-6203
dc.identifier http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/65603
dc.identifier Wöhr, Markus et al. “Communication Impairments in Mice Lacking Shank1: Reduced Levels of Ultrasonic Vocalizations and Scent Marking Behavior.” Ed. Wim E. Crusio. PLoS ONE 6.6 (2011) : e20631.
dc.identifier.uri http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/CUHPOERS/278948
dc.description Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder with a strong genetic component. Core symptoms are abnormal reciprocal social interactions, qualitative impairments in communication, and repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior with restricted interests. Candidate genes for autism include the SHANK gene family, as mutations in SHANK2 and SHANK3 have been detected in several autistic individuals. SHANK genes code for a family of scaffolding proteins located in the postsynaptic density of excitatory synapses. To test the hypothesis that a mutation in SHANK1 contributes to the symptoms of autism, we evaluated Shank1−/− null mutant mice for behavioral phenotypes with relevance to autism, focusing on social communication. Ultrasonic vocalizations and the deposition of scent marks appear to be two major modes of mouse communication. Our findings revealed evidence for low levels of ultrasonic vocalizations and scent marks in Shank1−/− mice as compared to wildtype Shank1+/+ littermate controls. Shank1−/− pups emitted fewer vocalizations than Shank1+/+ pups when isolated from mother and littermates. In adulthood, genotype affected scent marking behavior in the presence of female urinary pheromones. Adult Shank1−/− males deposited fewer scent marks in proximity to female urine than Shank1+/+ males. Call emission in response to female urinary pheromones also differed between genotypes. Shank1+/+ mice changed their calling pattern dependent on previous female interactions, while Shank1−/− mice were unaffected, indicating a failure of Shank1−/− males to learn from a social experience. The reduced levels of ultrasonic vocalizations and scent marking behavior in Shank1−/− mice are consistent with a phenotype relevant to social communication deficits in autism.
dc.description National Institute of Mental Health (U.S.) (Intramural Research Program)
dc.description Simons Foundation
dc.format application/pdf
dc.language en_US
dc.publisher Public Library of Science
dc.relation http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0020631
dc.relation PLoS ONE
dc.rights Creative Commons Attribution
dc.rights http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/
dc.source PLoS
dc.title Communication Impairments in Mice Lacking Shank1: Reduced Levels of Ultrasonic Vocalizations and Scent Marking Behavior
dc.type Article
dc.type http://purl.org/eprint/type/JournalArticle


Files in this item

Files Size Format View
Woehr-2011-Communication Impair.pdf 1.009Mb application/pdf View/Open

This item appears in the following Collection(s)

Show simple item record

Search DSpace


Advanced Search

Browse