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Abstract

Objective: To explore the relationship between cerebellar pathology and changes in neuronal activity in mouse models of autism-like phenotypes. Methods: We used the rotarod test as a measure of sensorimotor function in our mice and as a means to trigger neuronal activation. Following behavioural testing we obtained brain tissue from our ASD-like mouse models and used histology and microscopy to examine the expression of cFos (a reporter of neuronal activity) and several other structural and functional markers to evaluate cerebellar pathology. Finally, we looked at differences in the morphology, distribution and number of cerebellar glia in our ASD-like mouse models to determine if reactive gliosis contributes to further cerebellar pathology in adult mice. Results: Compared to wildtype littermates, Lc/+ mutant mice performed significantly worse on the rotarod assay of sensorimotor function (p