Alterations in the apoptosis pathway have been linked to changes in serotonin levels seen in autistic patients. Cc2d1a is a repressor of the HTR1A gene involved in the serotonin pathway. The hippocampus and hypothalamus of Cc2d1a ± mice were analyzed for the expression of apoptosis markers (caspase 3, 8 and 9). Gender differences were observed in the expression levels of the three caspases consistent with some altered activity in the open-field assay. The number of apoptotic cells was...