Autism spectrum disorder may be linked to imbalance of neurons in the brain

Using human “mini-brain” models known as organoids, Mayo Clinic and Yale University scientists have discovered that the roots of autism spectrum disorder may be associated with an imbalance of specific neurons that play a critical role in how the brain communicates and functions. The specific cells are known as excitatory cortical neurons.

The new study is published in Nature Neuroscience.

Findings

The team found an abnormal imbalance of excitatory neurons in the forebrain of people with the disorder, depending on their head size.

This organoid technology allowed us to…