Scientists have developed a new mouse model to help illuminate the vagaries of autism, according to a study from a School of Medicine researcher and other colleagues.

The study focused on mice missing the gabrb3 gene, which codes for a protein important in brain development and normal adult brain function, said David Clark, PhD, associate professor of anesthesiology and the paper's senior author. The study, led by Timothy DeLorey, PhD, a neuroscientist at the Molecular Research Institute in Palo Alto, used mice developed by co-author Gregg Homanics, PhD, professor of anesthesiology and pharmacology at the University of Pittsburgh.

Further Information: med.stanford.edu/mcr/2008/autism-mouse-0312.html