Liver X receptor β regulates the development of the dentate gyrus and autistic-like behavior in the mouse

• Defects in the neurogenesis of the dentate gyrus (DG) seem to be involved in the genesis of autism spectrum disorders (ASD)-like behaviors. Our study reveals that deletion of the Liver X receptor β (LXRβ) in mice causes hypoplasia in the DG, including abnormalities in the formation of progenitor cells and reduced neurogenesis. Behavioral analysis of LXRβ-deficient mice showed autistic-like behaviors, including social interaction deficits and repetitive behavior. These findings provide evidence that early changes in DG neurogenesis is possibly associated with the genesis of autism-related behaviors in LXRβ-deficient mice.

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