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Library Categories > Research > Autistic' mice give genetic clues

 
Library Item Name:

Autistic' mice give genetic clues 		   
Summary Statement:

The researchers separated baby mice of different strains from their mothers. The pups made noises to bring mum back, rather like human babies crying. These ultrasonic calls are too high for the human ear to hear, but the researchers detected them with special microphones and split them into 10 different "flavours".

Most mice in the study used all 10 flavours. The vocabulary of the BTBR strain, however, was limited to four flavours, including "harmonic" calls that contain multiple simultaneous sounds. BTBR mice also called louder and for longer periods (PLoS ONE, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0003067).

The team suggests these abnormal vocalisations can be likened to the third set of traits found in children with autism, who sometimes hum, grunt and squeal loudly and inappropriately. "This is similar to what others have found in autistic infants," says Scattoni.
“These abnormal vocalisations in mice can be likened to children with autism”

If mice communicate meaningful information to each other using ultrasonic sounds, then those with abnormal calls could be used to help identify genetic and environmental causes of autism, which still remain a mystery. Epidemiologist Mady Hornig, who studies autism at Columbia University in New York, says: "We can begin to understand how the genetic mechanisms may all be working together."
Tags:

mice,  vocalizations
Submission Date:

08/28/2008by: shannonj
Current rating:


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