What can mice tell us about Foxp2 function?

•Mutations of the FOXP2 gene cause a severe speech and language disorder.•Mice with Foxp2 disruptions have provided valuable insights into its functions.•Foxp2 regulates genes implicated in neurite outgrowth and synaptic plasticity.•Foxp2 mutant mice show deficits in sensorimotor integration and motor learning.

Disruptions of the FOXP2 gene cause a rare speech and language disorder, a discovery that has opened up novel avenues for investigating the relevant neural pathways. FOXP2 shows remarkably high conservation of sequence and neural expression in diverse vertebrates, suggesting that studies in other species are useful in elucidating its functions. Here we describe how investigations of mice that carry disruptions of Foxp2 provide insights at multiple levels: molecules, cells, circuits and behaviour. Work thus far has implicated the gene in key processes including neurite outgrowth, synaptic plasticity, sensorimotor integration and motor-skill learning.