Gene defect found in autism abnormal brain growth

Gene defect found in autism abnormal brain growth: Scientists have known that abnormal brain growth is associated with autism spectrum disorder. The relationship between the two, however, has not been well understood.



Now, scientists from the The Scripps Research Institute Florida Campus have shown that mutations in a specific gene that is disrupted in some individuals with autism results in too much growth throughout the brain, and yet surprisingly specific problems in social interactions, at least in mouse models that mimic this risk factor in humans.