Effects of music on cognitive behavioral impairments in both sex of adult rats exposed prenatally to valproic acid

Abstract

BackgroundAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impairment in reciprocal social interactions, deficits in communication, and restrictive and repetitive behaviors and interests. In previous studies, music has been identified as an intervention therapy for children with ASD.ObjectivesThe present study evaluated the effects of music on cognitive behavioral impairments in both sexes of adult rats exposed prenatally to Valproic acid.MethodsFor induction of autism, pregnant female rats were pretreated with either saline or VPA (600 mg/kg.i.p.) at gestational day (GD) 12.5. Male and female offspring were divided into Saline.Non‐Music, VPA.Non‐Music, Saline.Music, and VPA.Music groups. The adult rats in the music groups were exposed to Mozart's piano sonata K.448 for 30 days (4 h/day), from postnatal day (PND) 60 to 90. Social interaction and Morris water maze (MWM) tasks were tested at PND 90.ResultsOur results revealed that prenatal exposure to VPA decreased sociability and social memory performance in both sexes of adult rats. Moreover, prenatal exposure to VPA created learning and memory impairments in both sexes of adult rats in the MWM task. Music intervention improved sociability in both sexes of VPA‐exposed rats and social memory in both sexes of VPA‐exposed rats, especially in females. Furthermore, our results revealed that music ameliorated learning impairments in VPA‐exposed female rats in the MWM task. In addition, music improved spatial memory impairments in VPA‐exposed rats of both sexes, especially in females, which needs more investigation in molecular and histological fields in future studies.ConclusionMusic intervention improved sociability and social memory in adult VPA‐exposed rats, especially in female animals. Furthermore, music improved memory impairments in VPA‐exposed rats of both sexes. It seems that music had a better influence on female rats. However, future studies need more investigations in molecular and histological fields.