Animal research model developed to study mental disorders

Scientists have created a new animal research model which could prove instrumental in studying mental disorders that affect social interaction.

A study by Italian researchers has been published in the medical journal Biological Psychiatry, which details a new mouse model that has had its oxytocin receptor gene made inactive via a technique called genetic knockout.

Oxytocin is a hormone that plays a key role in emotional and social behaviours, with the knockout mice demonstrating impairments such as increased aggression and reduced cognitive flexibility.

Dr John Krystal, editor of Biological Psychiatry, stated that these findings confirm the importance of oxytocin in social development.

He added: "This animal model also may be useful in evaluating the effectiveness of drugs – including vasopressin agonists – that may help improve social behaviour in autism, schizophrenia and other disorders."

Earlier this month, a study published in the Archives of General Psychiatry suggested that the prevalence of autism among adults in England may be much higher than previously forecast.