Analysis of social interaction and proximity preferences in mice exposed to valproic acid prenatally.

It is established that exposure to the antiepileptic drug valproic acid (VPA) during the prenatal period increases the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorders (ASD). In this study, a multi-animal positioning system (MAPS) was utilized to ICR male mice as control (CT) and prenatal VPA-treated male mice in a shared environment, with the objective of investigating the effects of VPA on social interaction and social proximity. The results of the behavioral analysis indicated that the frequency, duration, and number of contacts were reduced in mice treated with VPA compared to the control group. Additionally, while there was no effect on inter-individual distance, the time spent at a distance was reduced. While no effects were observed on spontaneous locomotion or psychomotor activity, mice treated with VPA demonstrated behavioral abnormalities, characterized by increased social proximity but decreased social interaction. This finding underscores the utility of the MAPS in assessing natural group behavior and highlights the main behavioral differences associated with autism spectrum disorders due to prenatal VPA exposure. The results of this study offer valuable insights into the behavioral consequences of altered neurodevelopment and encourage further research to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.