Abstract

YouTube link: https://youtu.be/cfcSFJg4ANc

Registration form to attend Q&A session on Zoom: https://forms.gle/tTRQreym7s6pR2rW6

Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition with symptoms appearing few years after birth. However recent studies suggest symptoms of autism may start at very early prenatal-equivalent stages, when neurons start developing from precursor cells. These early studies also suggest that prenatal autistic symptoms are a result of co-occurring macrocephaly. Contrary to these finding, we have discovered that autistic cellular symptoms are not macrocephaly-dependent. Moreover these symptoms are specific to neurons of cortical lineage, and we have specifically identified brain neurulation-like in-vitro processes to be affected. Brain neurulation is the critical stage of fetal development when the central nervous system is formed, so we are currently investigating how such early mechanisms are being altered in autism.