In an experiment designed to explore the causes of autism(自閉症), researchers at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center deleted a gene in certain parts the mouse brain, thus creating mice that show deficits in social interaction reminiscent of those in humans with autism spectrum disorders. The researchers focused on a gene called Pten; some people with autism have mutations(突然変異) in Pten, but it has been unclear if that's what causes the disorder.