Mouse pups with a duplication of GTF2I, a gene linked to Williams syndrome and autism, show extreme separation anxiety when separated from their mothers, according to unpublished findings presented Thursday at the International Congress of Human Genetics in Montreal, Canada.

Three common laboratory chemicals are all scientists need to create see-through brains ideal for visualizing complex neural circuits.

Two new genetic mouse models that debuted this week show that having too many or too few copies of certain genetic regions leads to an array of symptoms reminiscent of autism.

Researchers have engineered four new mouse lines that each show activation of a different subset of neurons in response to a blue light.

Mice lacking the autism-linked gene CNTNAP2 show many of the behaviors associated with the disorder, and exhibit brain circuit disruptions similar to those seen in people who carry mutations in the gene.

The male offspring of mice subjected to stress during pregnancy can transmit the effects to their own male pups.

Mice lacking a gene that regulates an important signaling pathway in the central nervous system have severe autism-like social deficits, including little interest in nurturing their offspring and problems with learning and memory.

Methylation marks were thought to be permanent features of the genome, but a new study challenges that idea.

The more we find out about human genetics, the more valuable model organisms are likely to become, say autism researchers.  

Neurons in a mouse model of fragile X syndrome make more connections during a critical period in development compared with controls, but are slower to respond to signals.