Pten Regulates Neuronal Arborization and Social Interaction in Mice:
...PTEN mutations in individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have also been reported, although a causal link between PTEN and ASD remains unclear. In the present study, we deleted Pten in limited differentiated neuronal populations in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of mice. Resulting mutant mice showed abnormal social interaction and exaggerated responses to sensory stimuli...Thus, our data suggest that abnormal activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway in specific neuronal populations can underlie macrocephaly and behavioral abnormalities reminiscent of certain features of human ASD.
A Eureka Alert press release is more digestible. Standard caveats and grains of salt need to be taken, but if you throw enough darts at a dart board, you'll hit bullseye eventually.
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Actually, it's mice that can't relate to other mice.
Too bad I don't have time to write about this study this week. Maybe next week.
yeah, the title was a joke. :)
How did the "autistic" mice respond to each other? I'm sure in mammals there is something similar to generic "social response," but this needs to be separated from the behavior that causes gorillas not to "interact socially" with kittens (Koko notwithstanding) or other "Others."