Reduced amounts of the placental hormone allopregnanolone caused behavioral and developmental changes in the brains of male mouse offspring similar to those seen in autism.
When the hormone allopregnanolone (ALLO) abruptly decreases or stops during pregnancy, children are more likely to develop autism. Researchers report a single ALLO injection during pregnancy can avert the brain abnormalities and social behaviors associated with ASD in experimental mouse models of autism.
Disruptions in the supply of allopregnanolone, a hormone created by the placenta late in pregnancy, to the developing fetus can leave children more vulnerable to brain injuries associated with ASD. Losing the supply of ALLO alters cerebellar development, an area of the brain critical for motor coordination and social cognition, impacting the post-birth development of cerebellar white matter. An experimental model revealed deficient cerebellar white matter resulted in social impairments and an increase in repetitive behaviors, two hallmark features associated with autism.
Women who suffer from eating disorders from anorexia to obesity have lower levels of allopregnanolone, a progesterone metabolite previously linked to mood disorders, a new study reports.
