r/science • u/mvea Professor | Medicine • Feb 08 '25

Neuroscience Specific neurons that secrete oxytocin in the brain are disrupted in a mouse model of autism, neuroscientists have found. Stimulating these neurons restored social behaviors in these mice. These findings could help to develop new ways to treat autism.

https://www.riken.jp/en/news_pubs/research_news/rr/20250207_1/index.html
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u/2legittoquit Feb 08 '25

Using a mouse model for social behaviors seems weird.  Mice aren’t very social, and we have rats which are extremely social.

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u/Mec26 Feb 08 '25

Mice are so social it’s been shown to be the make confounding factor in addiction research. Mice kept in solitary cages will, it turns out, repeatedly do drugs to escape the pain. When given a good place to be with other mice buddies, 90% self-detox. They just wanna have friends.