Grant: Travel Awards - Institute Community Support

Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), are diagnosed more frequently in males than in females. One proposed explanation for this sex bias is an interaction between the immune system and male-typical steroid hormones, such as androgens (testosterone) that shape brain and behavioral development during gestation. To investigate this possibility, I selectively disrupted androgen signaling in either neurons or microglia (the brains innate immune cells). I hypothesized that reducing androgen signaling in microglia would decrease the likelihood of ASD-like behaviors. However, the results did not support this prediction: ASD-like behaviors were not significantly altered as social and repetitive behavior did not appear affected. Instead, disrupting androgen signaling in microglia appeared to increase the expression of ADHD-like traits, including hyperactivity. This manipulation also affected several physiological features commonly associated with ADHD, such as reduced dopamine transporter levels, altered serotonin receptor expression, and additional changes related to neuroimmune function and neurodevelopment.