Changes in brain cells linked to severity of autism 

A new analysis finds that changes in certain types of brain cells and circuits correspond to the severity of autism spectrum disorder. Scientists looked at brain tissue samples from 15 patients with autism and compared them with tissue from controls, and found that most of the differences were concentrated in a part of the brain responsible for higher order functions, including communication, and correlated with severity of the disease. By performing RNA sequencing on the samples, the researchers found certain genes associated with synapses were expressed differently in those with autism as were genes in nerve cells that help protect neurons. The findings of the study open the door for new therapeutic targets, but larger studies with more patients are needed to highlight specific molecular changes to better explain the disease and its symptoms.