Analysis of gastorintestinal problems in autism mouse models

自闭症是一种高度流行的神经系统疾病，其特征是社交互动受损以及刻板或重复行为。自闭症相关的胃肠道症状经常出现在幼儿期到成年期，自闭症患者因胃肠道疾病住院的可能性约为4倍。胃肠道功能由肠内神经系统（ENS）调节，ENS是一种复杂的神经元网络，沿胃肠道长度沿着延伸，排列在两个神经丛中，粘膜下神经丛和肌间神经丛分别主要调节肠道分泌和运动。我们将在两种自闭症临床前模型（CHD8和15q小鼠）中表征GI表型，以确定治疗GI功能障碍的治疗靶点。

Autism is a highly prevalent neurological disorder characterized by impaired social interactions and stereotyped or repetitive behaviours. Autism-associated GI symptoms frequently present from early childhood to adulthood and patients with autism are approximately four-fold more likely to be hospitalized with GI disorders. GI function is regulated by the intrinsic enteric nervous system (ENS), a complex network of neurons extending along the length of the GI tract arranged in two plexuses, the submucosal and myenteric plexuses that predominantly regulate gut secretion and motility, respectively. We will characterize the GI phenotype in two preclinical models of autism (CHD8 and 15q mice) in order to identify therapeutic targets to treat GI dysfunction.