Evidence for Olfactory Discrimination Deficits for Sexual Stimuli in a Valproic Acid Model of Autism: A Study on Sexual Behavior Deficits

Todd, Margaret

Evidence for Olfactory Discrimination Deficits for Sexual Stimuli in a Valproic Acid Model of Autism: A Study on Sexual Behavior Deficits

Persistent URL

https://dspace.allegheny.edu/handle/10456/56636

Author(s)

Todd, Margaret

Date Issued

April 14, 2023

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder, which affects a portion of the population and is commonly studied using a model created with rats that have been prenatally exposed to valproic acid (VPA). In humans with the disorder, possible sexual behavior and olfactory discrimination deficits exist, with the rat model also representing these olfactory discrimination deficits. The present study is aimed at determining if the sexual behavior deficits correlate to the model, as well as if there is a link between the two deficits described previously. Experimentation was performed using two different three-chamber preference tests, with lateral chambers containing either a neutral or sexual stimuli based on olfactory cues. No significant differences in preference were found using a bedding preference test, however a marginal significance was found in the rat preference test when looking at interaction time with the sexual stimuli, with a decrease for the VPA-exposed group compared to the control group. This marginally significant difference shows that a sexual behavior deficit could exist within the model due to olfactory discrimination deficits. Further research should be performed in order to confirm this hypothesis.

Major

Neuroscience

Honors

Neuroscience, 2023

First Reader(s)

Hollerman, Jeffrey R.