A STRAIN of loud laboratory mice that show all the signs of having autism could help us understand the complicated genetics of this mysterious condition.
Previous studies of the BTBR strain of mice have found that they have two of the three symptoms normally used to diagnose autism in people: repetitive behaviours and decreased social interaction.
Now Maria Luisa Scattoni of the National Institute of Mental Health in Bethesda, Maryland, and colleagues have found that they also display a third trait associated with autism.
The researchers separated baby mice of different strains from their mothers. The pups made noises to…
