Increased BDNF expression in fetal brain in the valproic acid model of autism
LEF Almeida, CD Roby, BK Krueger - Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, 2014 - Elsevier
Human fetal exposure to valproic acid (VPA), a widely-used anti-epileptic and mood-
stabilizing drug, leads to an increased incidence of behavioral and intellectual impairments
including autism; VPA administration to pregnant rats and mice at gestational days 12.5
(E12. 5) or E13. 5 leads to autistic-like symptoms in the offspring and is widely used as an
animal model for autism. We report here that this VPA administration protocol transiently
increased both BDNF mRNA and BDNF protein levels 5–6-fold in the fetal mouse brain. VPA …
stabilizing drug, leads to an increased incidence of behavioral and intellectual impairments
including autism; VPA administration to pregnant rats and mice at gestational days 12.5
(E12. 5) or E13. 5 leads to autistic-like symptoms in the offspring and is widely used as an
animal model for autism. We report here that this VPA administration protocol transiently
increased both BDNF mRNA and BDNF protein levels 5–6-fold in the fetal mouse brain. VPA …