SHANK3 Duplication Leads to Hyperactivity in Mice

Published December 17, 2013 in Simons Foundation Autism Research Institute

Mice with a duplication of SHANK3, a gene with strong links to autism, are hyperactive and manic, reports a study published in Nature.The mice produce about 50 percent more SHANK3 protein than their genetically typical counterparts, the scientists found, much like people with an extra copy of the gene do. The mice also show signs of hyperactivity. The team observed on further testing that the SHANK3 mice show behaviors typically seen in people going through manic episodes. The mice are easier to startle, eat more, have disrupted sleeping patterns and show heightened sensitivity to amphetamine. The mice also have spontaneous seizures.

http://sfari.org/news-and-opinion/in-brief/2013/genetics-shank3-duplication-leads-to-hyperactivity-in-mice

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