Autism molecular map offers new path for targeted therapies

Researchers have developed a molecular map of autism using artificial intelligence and data from lab-grown brain models. Published in the journal Science, the study identifies how various genetic mutations associated with autism spectrum disorder physically connect and rewire protein interactions during brain development.

Because more than 250 genes are linked to autism, finding a single treatment has been a significant challenge. This new blueprint allows scientists to target protein interactions rather than individual genes, potentially paving the way for more specific and effective drug discovery. Dr. Nevan Krogan of the University of California, San Francisco and the Gladstone Institutes noted that this map provides the molecular underpinnings necessary to guide future therapeutic developments.