Anatomy and Cell Biology of Autism Spectrum Disorder: Lessons from Human Genetics

Kristel T E Kleijer, Guillaume Huguet, Julie Tastet, Thomas Bourgeron, J P H Burbach

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Until recently autism spectrum disorder (ASD) was regarded as a neurodevelopmental condition with unknown causes and pathogenesis. In the footsteps of the revolution of genome technologies and genetics, and with its high degree of heritability, ASD became the first neuropsychiatric disorder for which clues towards molecular and cellular pathogenesis were uncovered by genetic identification of susceptibility genes. Currently several hundreds of risk genes have been assigned, with a recurrence below 1% in the ASD population. The multitude and diversity of known ASD genes has extended the clinical notion that ASD comprises very heterogeneous conditions ranging from severe intellectual disabilities to mild high-functioning forms. The results of genetics have allowed to pinpoint a limited number of cellular and molecular processes likely involved in ASD including protein synthesis, signal transduction, transcription/chromatin remodelling and synaptic function all playing an essential role in the regulation of synaptic homeostasis during brain development. In this context, we highlight the role of protein synthesis as a key process in ASD pathogenesis as it might be central in synaptic deregulation and a potential target for intervention. These current insights should lead to a rational design of interventions in molecular and cellular pathways of ASD pathogenesis that may be applied to affected individuals in the future.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationTranslational Anatomy and Cell Biology of Autism Spectrum Disorder
PublisherSpringer
Pages1-25
Number of pages25
ISBN (Print)978-3-319-52496-2, 978-3-319-52498-6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2017

Publication series

NameAdvances in Anatomy, Embryology and Cell Biology
PublisherSpringer
Volume224

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