Naturally occurring low sociality in female rhesus monkeys: A tractable model for autism or not?

ConclusionsDominance rank is the most significant predictor of autistic-like traits in female rhesus monkeys, and CSF neuropeptide concentrations are unrelated to measures of female social functioning (in contrast to prior CSF AVP findings in male rhesus monkeys and male and female autistic children). Although preliminary, this evidence suggests that the strong matrilineal organization of this species may limit the usefulness of low sociality in female rhesus monkeys as a tractable model for ASD.
Source: Molecular Autism - Category: Molecular Biology Source Type: research