János Bolyai Research Scholarship of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences
The current review is an update on experimental approaches in which birds serve as
model species for the investigation of typical failure symptoms associated with autism
spectrum disorder (ASD). The discussion is focused on deficiencies of social behavior,
from social interactions of domestic chicks, based on visual and auditory cues, to
vocal communication in songbirds. Two groups of pathogenetic/risk factors are discussed:
1) non-genetic (environmental/epigenetic) factors, exemplified by embryonic exposure
to valproic acid (VPA), and 2) genetic factors, represented by a list of candidate
genes and signaling pathways of diagnostic or predictive value in ASD patients. Given
the similarities of birds as experimental models to humans (visual orientation, vocal
learning, social cohesions), avian models usefully contribute toward the elucidation
of the neural systems and developmental factors underlying ASD, improving the applicability
of preclinical results obtained on laboratory rodents. Furthermore, they may predict
potential susceptibility factors worthy of investigation (both by animal studies and
by monitoring human babies at risk), with potential therapeutic consequence.
