Mutated gene provides animal autism model

DALLAS, Sept. 10 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists have found mice containing a mutated human gene implicated in autism exhibit poor social skills, but increased intelligence.

The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center researchers said their study also showed how the mutation affects nerve function.

In the study, researchers introduced a mutated human form of the neuroligin-3 molecule into mice. They then tested the animals’ social interactions by exposing them to an unfamiliar mouse in a cage. The genetically engineered mice spent less time near the strange mouse than their normal littermates, preferring to spend time with inanimate objects.

The engineered mice were also significantly better at learning a water maze in which they had to find and learn the location of an underwater platform. They were also better at relearning a new position of the platform after it was moved.

"When you manipulate a brain, you usually don’t improve it," said Dr. Thomas Sudhof, senior author of the study. "The fact that we get an improvement … shows we’re changing something specific. We’re affecting how the brain processes information."

The research is available in the online journal Science Express and will appear in the print journal Science.