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Recent advances in animal model experimentation in autism research

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 November 2013

Mousumi Tania ,
Md. Asaduzzaman Khan  and
Kun Xia
Mousumi Tania
Affiliation:
State Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
Md. Asaduzzaman Khan
Affiliation:
Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Luzhou Medical College, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
Kun Xia*
Affiliation:
State Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
*
Kun Xia, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Central South University, Changsha City, Hunan, China. Tel: +86 731 84805357; Fax: +86 731 84478152; E-mail: xiakun@sklmg.edu.cn
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Abstract

Objective

Autism, a lifelong neuro-developmental disorder is a uniquely human condition. Animal models are not the perfect tools for the full understanding of human development and behavior, but they can be an important place to start. This review focused on the recent updates of animal model research in autism.

Methods

We have reviewed the publications over the last three decades, which are related to animal model study in autism.

Results

Animal models are important because they allow researchers to study the underlying neurobiology in a way that is not possible in humans. Improving the availability of better animal models will help the field to increase the development of medicines that can relieve disabling symptoms. Results from the therapeutic approaches are encouraging remarkably, since some behavioral alterations could be reversed even when treatment was performed on adult mice. Finding an animal model system with similar behavioral tendencies as humans is thus vital for understanding the brain mechanisms, supporting social motivation and attention, and the manner in which these mechanisms break down in autism. The ongoing studies should therefore increase the understanding of the biological alterations associated with autism as well as the development of knowledge-based treatments therapy for those struggling with autism.

Conclusion

In this review, we have presented recent advances in research based on animal models of autism, raising hope for understanding the disease biology for potential therapeutic intervention to improve the quality of life of autism individuals.

Keywords

animal modelautismgenetic manipulationstranslational research
Type
Review Article
Information
Acta Neuropsychiatrica , Volume 26 , Issue 5 , October 2014 , pp. 264 - 271
Copyright
Copyright © Scandinavian College of Neuropsychopharmacology 2013 

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