Thesis supervisor: József Topál
Location of studies (in Hungarian): MTA Természettudományi Kutatóközpont Kognitív Idegtudományi és Pszichológiai Intézet Abbreviation of location of studies: MTA
Description of the research topic:
"Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are characterized by a triad of core behavioral features: (1) repetitive, stereotyped behaviors, (2) impaired communication skills, and (3) impaired reciprocal social interactions.
While the aetiology of these disorders remains unclear, it appears that both (epi)genetic and environmental factors are involved. The need for animal models paralleling both the behavioral and molecular features of ASD is paramount to better understand the biological root, evolutionary analogues and environmental correlates of autism.
Domestic dogs display both ASD-relevant repetitive/stereotypic behaviors (e.g. tail chasing) and demonstrate a complex level of behavioral similarity to humans in their socio-cognitive behavior (e.g. attachment to owner, responsiveness to human communicative gestures).
In this proposal our central objectives are (1) to develop a diagnostic battery for dogs and investigate if there is a relationship between the dogs’ stereotypic behaviors, their communicative skills, social behavior and socio-cognitive performance; (2) as well as to study whether the behavioral indicators of autism-like symptoms in dogs are associated with polymorphisms in the oxytocin receptor gene and epigenetic changes (i.e. methylation) in gene activity.
Our study will hopefully provide a new model system that can help in understanding the aetiology and regulatory mechanisms of the social-cognitive characteristics of autistic behavior.
References
Carpenter M, Pennington BF, Rogers SJ 2002. Interrelations among social-cognitive skills in young children with autism. J Autism Dev Disord 32, 91.
Miklósi Á, Topál J 2013. What does it take to become ‘best friends’? Evolutionary changes in canine social competence. Trends Cogn Sci 17, 287.
Moon-Fanelli AA, Dodman NH, Famula TR et al. 2010. Characteristics of compulsive tail chaing and associated risk factors in bull terriers. J Am Vet Med Assoc 238, 883.
Tsilioni I, Dodman N, Petra AI et al. 2014. Elevated serum neurotensin and CRH levels in children with autistic spectrum disorders and tail-chasing Bull Terriers with a phenotype similar to autism. Transl Psychiatry 4, e466.
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Required language skills: English Number of students who can be accepted: 1
Deadline for application: 2019-05-31
2024. IV. 17. ODT ülés Az ODT következő ülésére 2024. június 14-én, pénteken 10.00 órakor kerül sor a Semmelweis Egyetem Szenátusi termében (Bp. Üllői út 26. I. emelet).
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