Saturday, May 17, 2008: 3:45 PM-5:45 PM
Bourgogne (Novotel London West)
Strategies to Assay Communication Deficits in Animal Models of Autism: Roundtable Discussion
The second diagnostic criterion for autism, qualitative impairments and delays in communication, is conceptually the most difficult to model in animals. While we have many tests for social and repetitive behaviors in model organisms, little is known in most non-primate species about signaling mechanisms that represent true communication in a social setting. Particularly for mice, a species useful for testing hypotheses about candidate gene mutations in autism, new approaches are needed to detect the communicative value of their olfactory signals, ultrasonic vocalizations, and the possible presence of Theory of Mind mentalization and empathy. Our Roundtable session is designed to generate ideas for optimal assays to evaluate communication in animal models of autism. Behavioral neuroscientists expert in mouse, rat, and bird communication will present photographs, videos, and audioclips of their tests for olfactory, auditory, visual, gustatory, and tactile signaling between individuals. Clinical experts will critique the relevance of each task to the qualitative and quantitative communication deficits seen in autism and autism spectrum disorders. Back-and-forth discussion between the basic and clinical roundtable participants, along with input from members of the audience, will focus on identifying tasks with optimal face validity to the second diagnostic symptom of autism.
Speakers:	Anthony Bailey Julie Bakker, Ph.D. Robert J. Blanchard, Ph.D. Peter Brennan Stefan Brudzynski, Ph.D. Nicola Clayton, Ph.D. Jacqueline Crawley, PhD Uta Frith Maria Luisa Scattoni, Ph.D. Susan E. Swedo
Moderator:	Jacqueline Crawley, PhD
Sponsor:	Invited Program

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See more of The International Meeting for Autism Research (London, May 15-17, 2008)