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Gene mutation produces autism-like traits in mice
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March 23, 2011
Original URL: http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Gene_mutation_produces_autism-like_traits_in_mice


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By causing the   of one specific , researchers have produced mice with
two frequently encountered behavioral  traits of persons diagnosed with
.  Autism commonly  affects the ability to interact socially and is
associated with . The finding was reported in the March 20 on line
edition of .
 
Using mice, researchers at the  (MIT) and  mutated one of the genes
associated with autism, known as , a gene that controls the production
of the shank3 protein present in the brain. Mice that were given this
mutation exhibited repetitive behavior and avoided social interactions
with the mice around them. 

According to MIT Professor Guoping Feng: "Our study demonstrated that
Shank3 mutation in mice lead to defects in neuron-neuron
communications."

Shank3 protein are found in   within the brain. Synapses allow brain
cells  (called ) to communicate with each other. The mutation in the
mouse gene interfered with this  communication, apparently producing the
subsequent autism-like traits. Researchers believe their work
demonstrates the important role of shank3 in the functioning of brain
circuits that determine behavior.

While hundreds of genes have been linked to autism in human patients,
only a small percentage have been linked to shank3. Professor  Feng
hypothesizes that  disruptions of other genes that act on the production
of brain proteins affecting synaptic communication may also be related
to autistic behavior. If this disruption is real, Feng claims that
treatments could be developed to correct synaptic function for any 
defective synaptic protein in an autistic  patient.  

Feng continued; "These findings and the mouse model now allow us to
figure out the precise neural circuit defects responsible for these
abnormal behaviours, which could lead to novel strategies and targets
for developing treatment."   

About one in 110 children in the U.S., and at least one in 100 in UK,
have been diagnosed with an , for which there is currently no effective
cure.

== Sources == 

* http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/brain-and-behavior/articles/2011/03/21/scientists-create-autism-like-traits-in-mice
* http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-12759587
* http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/health-news/2011/03/21/autism-gene-defect-identified-by-scientists-86908-23005482/
* http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/219485.php



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