ArticleFrontiers in neuroscience2026
Multi-region social-emotional network underlying the effects of spine pinching therapy on empathy-like behavior in a rat model of autism spectrum disorder.
Article in Frontiers in neuroscience, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
Background: Spine pinching is a promising alternative for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), yet its effects on multi-region molecular coordination remain unclear. This study examined the effects of spine pinching on cellular Fos proto-oncoprotein (c-Fos) and Oxytocin Receptor (OXTR) expression in the prefrontal cortex, hypothalamus, and amygdala, and further analyzed expression patterns across these regions using profile analysis to explore the coordinated multi-region regulation underlying improvements in social and empathic deficits. Methods: An ASD rat model was established by valproic acid (VPA) induction. After behavioral testing, rats were divided into the model group (MG), spine pinching group (SPG), and blank control group (BC). SPG received a 15-day intervention from postnatal day 22. Then, open field, three-chamber social, and fear empathy tests were performed; brain tissues were collected for immunohistochemistry and western blotting, and profile analysis was conducted. Results: VPA-induced ASD rats showed developmental and ASD-like behavioral deficits. MG rats exhibited social and empathy deficits and reduced c-Fos and OXTR levels in the prefrontal cortex, hypothalamus, and amygdala versus BC. Spine pinching improved these ASD-like behavioral deficits. Immunohistochemistry revealed that c-Fos and OXTR expression increased significantly in all three brain regions after spine pinching. Western blot analysis further supported these findings, showing significant upregulation in most brain regions and consistent upward trends in the remaining regions. Profile analysis revealed parallel expression profiles across regions, suggesting coordinated multi-region regulation. Conclusion: Spine pinching effectively improves core ASD-like behavioral deficits in ASD rats, potentially through coordinated regulation of the multi-regional social-emotional network.
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