Genetic mouse models of autism spectrum disorder present subtle heterogenous cardiac abnormalities.

The work was done in adult male mice, so it does not show what happens in female mice, children, or people with autism without these genetic changes. The mouse heart differs from the human heart in heart rate, pacemaker location, blood flow to the brain, and how the ventricles fill during relaxation. The study did not directly examine some heart structures often reported in human congenital heart disease, such as the atrioventricular septum, the right side of the heart, and the conduction system. The authors could not directly compare their mouse measurements with clinical human studies because designs, assessment protocols, sample sizes, and patient sex differed. The method used to compare redundancy between cardiac measures and genetic groups was not standard and needs further verification.

The authors declared no conflict of interest.

Do not read these mouse findings as evidence that people with autism have a specific heart abnormality or that therapists should change care. The study used adult male mice with autism-related genetic changes, found small and inconsistent differences, and the authors caution against translating results to other genetic subtypes or autism without a known genetic cause.