SLC12A2 and autism: In animal models of autism, notably rats with intrauterine valproic acid injection11,12 or maternal immune activation13, rats carrying the fragile X11 or MECP2 mutation14, acute maternal administration of bumetanide, a NKCC1 chloride-importer inhibitor, before delivery switched the action of GABA from excitatory to inhibitory in the offspring, restoring both electrophysiological profile of the CA3 area of hippocampus, cerebellar purkinje cells or normal cerebral volumes.