Effects of Deep Touch Pressure for Sensory Processing in Rats with Prenatally Exposed to Valproic Acid

Sensory processing is a sophisticated set of actions that enable the central nervous system to understand what is going on both inside our own body and in the world around us. Sensory processing problems are common in persons with autism. Although there have been claims of significant therapeutic benefits arising from the use of deep touch pressure techniques for children with autism, to date there have been rare neurophysiologic investigations of its use with autistic spectrum disorders in clinical practice. Amygdale and locus coeruleus are showed in previous studies both involved in regulating sensory processing and task-relevant activities. To understand the possible neurobiological mechanisms of the deep touch pressure on sensory processing in autism, we use the micro-wire electrodes recording technique to investigate neuronal activations of amygdale and locus coeruleus in neonatally exposed to valproic acid (VPA) rats which was presenting with severe challenging behavior as similar as persons with autism. By investigating and recording the neuronal activations of amygdala and locus coeruleus, the effects of deep touch pressure may be revealed and able to contribute to represent and understand the regulations of sensory processing and task-relevant learning in autism.

Project ID:PB10101-3239
External Project ID:NSC99-2320-B182-002-MY3