Monogenic mouse models of social dysfunction: implications for autism.

摘要: Autism is a pervasive disorder characterized by complex symptomatology, based principally on social dysfunction. The has highly complex, largely genetic etiology, involving an impressive variety of genes, the precise contributions which still remain to be determined. For this reason, reductionist approach study autism been proposed, employing monogenic animal models dysfunction, either targeting candidate gene, or mimicking single-gene autistic symptoms. In present review, we discuss comparing examples each strategy: mu opioid receptor knock-out (KO) mouse line, targets system (known involved in control behaviors); and Fmr1-KO mouse, model for Fragile X syndrome (a neurodevelopmental that includes symptoms). autistic-relevant behavioral phenotypes mu-opioid lines are described here, summarizing previous work our research group others, but also providing novel experimental evidence. Relevant factors influencing validity two models, such as sex differences age at testing, addressed, permitting extensive evaluation advantages limits autism.