title: Mechanism of auditory hypersensitivity in human autism using autism model rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Auditory hypersensitivity is one of the major complications in autism spectrum disorder. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the auditory brain center is affected in autism model rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Autism model rats were prepared by prenatal exposure to thalidomide on embryonic day 9 and 10 in pregnant rats. The superior olivary complex (SOC), a complex of auditory nuclei, was immunostained with anti-calbindin d28k antibody at postnatal day 50.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In autism model rats, SOC immunoreactivity was markedly decreased. Strength of immunostaining of SOC auditory fibers was also weak in autism model rats. Surprisingly, the size of the medial nucleus of trapezoid body, a nucleus exerting inhibitory function in SOC, was significantly decreased in autism model rats.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Auditory hypersensitivity may be, in part, due to impairment of inhibitory processing by the auditory brain center.
authors.affiliation: Department of Developmental and Regenerative Medicine, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Mie, Japan.
authors.forename: Michiru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ida-Eto
authors.affiliation: Department of Developmental and Regenerative Medicine, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Mie, Japan.
authors.forename: Nao
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hara
authors.affiliation: Department of Developmental and Regenerative Medicine, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Mie, Japan.
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ohkawara
authors.affiliation: Department of Developmental and Regenerative Medicine, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Mie, Japan.
authors.forename: Masaaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Narita
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001306:Auditory Pathways / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001307:Auditory Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012001:Hyperacusis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D065832:Superior Olivary Complex / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013792:Thalidomide
chemical_list: D013792:Thalidomide
keywords: autistic disorder; brainstem; hyperacusis; superior olivary complex; thalidomide