Health-related news stories often end with a disclaimer about how discoveries made in mice may not translate to people.

This report also starts with a disclaimer … any mention of the word “mohawk” should not be associated with people who like mohawk haircuts.

Scientists have discovered that a genetic mutation suspected in autism spectrum disorder causes mice to over-groom each other.

The rodents are left with a prominent thatch of central hair and hardly a hint along the sides … basically, a mouse mohawk.

Clearly, the bizarre behavior has nothing to do with an aesthetic choice. However, obsessive grooming has everything to do with repetitive motor behavior, which is a hallmark of autism spectrum disorder in people.

What happened was an international team of neuroscientists bred hundreds of mice with a genetic mutation suspected of being tied with autism spectrum disorder.

Researchers with N-Y-U Langone (Lang-own) Medical Center noticed the mice were over-grooming, which they recognized as a repetitive motion behavior.

The researchers believe they may have traced this troubling developmental behavior to a specific biological pathway. In this case, certain genes are making proteins that influence the brain’s neurotransmitters.

By understanding the genetic roots of dysfunctional behaviors, such as over-grooming in mice or repetitive movement in people, scientists say there’s an opportunity to develop treatments that rebalance the off-kilter biology associated with autism spectrum disorder.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about one in 68 children are affected by autism spectrum behaviors.

Autism is a growing concern that crosses all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups … regardless of hairstyle.

Unless you count mice with mohawks.