Validação da adaptação do modelo experimental do ácido valpróico de Schneider & Przewlocki (2005) para o estudo do TEA

Abstract

The present study aimed to validate the adaptation of an experimental model to investigate behaviors analogous to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Wistar rats through the administration of valproic acid during the gestational period. To achieve this, the following tests were conducted: (1) Stereotyped chains in Grooming, (2) Three-Chamber Sociability and Social Novelty test, (3) Playful social behavior, (4) Nociception, (5) Olfactory discrimination, (6) Swimming performance, (7) Negative Geotaxis, while controlling for weight and eye-opening day. The tests were performed at specific developmental stages or in two developmental phases: (A) adulthood and (B) pre-adolescence. Results indicated that the latency time to complete the negative geotaxis test, latency to choose the known stimulus in the olfactory discrimination test, frequency of entries and time spent in the animal-free quadrant in the social behavior test, as well as interaction time in the sociability test, frequency of Complete, Incomplete, and Total Grooming Chains were higher in the Valproate group compared to the control group. Additionally, frequencies of forward walks and head turns in the nociception test were lower in the Valproate group compared to the control. Other variables did not show statistically significant relevance. The adaptation of the model proved to be statistically relevant for studying grooming, swimming performance, and negative geotaxis. Further replications are necessary to investigate other variables such as social behavior, tactile sensitivity, olfactory discrimination, as well as weight measurements and eye-opening.