Hippocampal neurons isolated from rats subjected to the valproic acid model mimic in vivo synaptic pattern: evidence of neuronal priming during early development in autism spectrum disorders.

Our study suggests microglial role is not determinant for developing neuronal alterations or counteracting neuronal outcome in the hippocampus and highlights the crucial role of hippocampal neurons and structural plasticity in the establishment of the synaptic alterations in the VPA rat model.