Genetically modified monkeys may shed light on autism

Genetically modified monkeys have been created that mimic the behavioural changes seen in humans with autism..

They can also pass these traits on to their offspring and are likely to become an important animal model for studying this complex disease.

The transgenic monkeys and their offspring displayed behaviours such as altered social interaction after their DNA was modified.

The cynomolgus monkeys or crab-eating macaques received a mutated gene that is found in 90 per cent of patients with a condition called Rett syndrome and they then began displaying typical autism-like behaviours.

They began to walk in repetitive circles and showed less interaction with others whether wild-type or transgenic macaques.

The research was conducted in China and led by Prof Zilong Qiu of the Institute of Neuroscience, Shanghai and colleagues.

Autism can be difficult to study because of the lack of suitable models, said researchers in a research letter to the journal Nature.

Scientists already use rodent models of autism spectrum disorders but these animals don't respond in a way comparable to humans.

The researchers found that the modified monkeys’ cognitive functions were normal but their behaviour changed.

Offspring

Importantly, they successfully introduced this permanent change into offspring.

"Together these results indicate the feasibility and reliability of using genetically engineered non-human primates to study brain disorders, " they write.

"I think this is a potentially very important scientific development," said Prof Roger Lemon at University College London.. Disorders such as autism are best studied in a model system as close as possible to the human brain.

“From my reading of the paper, there are also significant welfare issues. These would need to be taken into account in assessing the future of this research programme,” he added.

“This excellent research has developed a more sophisticated model of autism which may further our understanding of autism, and could eventually lead to the development of more tailored treatments,” said Dr James Cusack of Autistica, an autism medical research charity in Britain.