Behavioral effects of early deprivation of nerve growth factor: some similarities with familial dysautonomia.

Female rats immunized with mouse nerve growth factor develop an antibody (anti-NGF) which reaches offspring through the placenta and via the milk. Pups exposed to maternal anti-NGF have fewer dorsal root and sympathetic neurons. When the offspring are examined on a wide variety of behavioral tests, they exhibit severe deficits in response to stress (ulceration, corticosterone levels), and mild deficits on some sensory and cognitive tasks. Exploratory and motor functions, however, are relatively normal. The pathologic and behavioral profiles of the animals closely mimic the sensory and sympathetic aspects of familial dysautonomia.