News Neuroscience

Mice with a mutation linked to autism affect their littermates’ behavior

Experiments show importance of social environment, not just genes

autistic mice

MICE SEE, MICE DO  Mice with an autism-related mutation affected the behavior of their genetically normal littermates, a new study shows.

Igor Stramyk/Shutterstock

By Laura Sanders

- More than 2 years ago

The company mice keep can change their behavior. In some ways, genetically normal littermates behave like mice that carry an autism-related mutation, despite not having the mutation themselves, scientists report.