Combined social and chemical stressors worsen neurodevelopmental outcomes in mice: relevance for autism spectrum disorders

Maternal immune activation (MIA) during pregnancy, e.g. by environmental factors such as infection or toxins, is associated with an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in the offspring of humans and in animal models, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia. This talk will focus on the critical role for microglia in neural development in a model of combined prenatal exposure to diesel exhaust and maternal stress. Our data suggest combined environmental exposures which activate the maternal immune system may persistently impact brain and behavioral development in males via impacts on microglial phagocytic and inflammatory function.

Live Zoom presentation. Register to receive Zoom link at: https://duke.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0lfuCvqjkuGdNB8Q-cH3F4dCFQ4ej0DwDb