Autism Spectrum Disorder is a Risk Factor for PTSD-like Memory Formation

The predisposition of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) remained to be established. Here, we show that exposure to a single mild stressful event induces maladaptive memory, which recapitulates all features of PTSD, and is associated with the broad dysfunction of the prefrontal-hippocampo-amygdalar network. Using optogenetics, we demonstrate that prefrontal cortex hyperactivation triggers this PTSD-like memory. Finally, we show that recontextualization of the traumatic event normalizes maladaptive memory in ASD conditions. Overall, this study provides the first direct demonstration that ASD represents a risk factor for PTSD and uncovers new mechanisms that underlie pathological memory formation. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest.