Mapping the developmental time course of social behaviours in a rat model of Fragile X syndrome. (360G-Wellcome-206734_Z_17_Z)

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common form of inherited intellectual disability. It is caused by a single gene (FMR1) mutation resulting in the absence of the FMR1 protein. Children with FXS display learning impairments, attention deficits, anxiety, and difficulty with social interactions. The pathophysiology of FXS has been investigated using rodents lacking the FMR1 gene. Recent research has demonstrated that FRM1 KO rats have selective cognitive deficits that normally develop in the late postnatal period. Treatment with potential therapeutics between 5 and 9 weeks old prevents these deficits emerging and the beneficial effects last for at least 14 weeks following the end of treatment. This project will investigate whether FMR1 KO rats show abnormal or delayed development of social behaviours compared to wild type control rats. The objectives are: 1) to characterise the normal development of social behaviours from shortly after weaning (when the young pups become independent of their mother) until adulthood, and 2) to determine the developmental time course of any differences in social behaviour in FMR1 knockout rats. Defining the age at which social deficits occur will provide the basis for future preclinical studies testing whether potential therapeutics can prevent or reverse social impairments.