Molecular genetics techniques have provided the means for targeted germ line mutations and as a result a proliferation of mice with null mutations of specific proteins exists. Such animals provide the opportunity to further study the mechanisms underlying ERP/ERO components. In human studies EROs have been demonstrated to be important endophenotypes that have been linked to select genes as well as neuropsychiatric conditions such as disinhibition and alcoholism (see Jones et al.,2004; 2006; Kamarajan et al., 2004, 2006; Porjesz et al., 2005; Begleiter & Porjesz, 2006; Rangaswamy et al., 2007; Chen et al., 2008). While rodents with their limited cortical development do not simulate the human condition, nevertheless, the mouse ERO models can eventually provide endophenotypes that may be useful as animal models of a number of neuropsychiatric disorders.
