Researchers have cultured clusters of cells simulating brain mini-cortices in the laboratory to study the role of three genes associated with autism spectrum disorder in brain development.
“Brain organoids reveal the secrets of autism”, reports Wired. The American site echoes of a study published at the beginning of February in Nature, which reveals how three genes linked to autism spectrum disorder (TSA) affect brain development. the TSA brings together a set of neurobiological disorders characterized by dysfunctions in social interactions, communication or behavior.
We know that hundreds of genes are potentially associated with TSA, but understanding their role, especially as the brain develops, is challenging. This is why the use of organoids, clusters of cells cultured in laboratories, represents a promising approach.
This is the technique used by Paola Arlotta, specialist in stem cells and regenerative biology at Harvard University. With colleagues, she created, from stem cells provided by people with TSAgenetically modified organoids from the human cerebral cortex.
Each of these clusters of brain cells, containing a mutation in one of the genes examined, has been observed during its development. Then the neurons which had “grown” in these organoids were analyzed and compared with those belonging to organoids derived from the same stem cells but whose genes had not been modified.
Restore balance between neurons
This approach allowed the researchers to find that “the three genes studied all lead to an altered balance between excitatory and inhibitory neurons”, relay Wired, which adds:
This capital discovery might allow pharmaceutical laboratories to develop treatments capable of restoring this balance in severe forms of autism spectrum disorders.”
This study is only a first step in understanding the role of genes in this type of condition. It confirms that, in the same way as the TSA is a spectrum, so may the genetic causes underlying it.
“Paola Arlotta hopes the work being done on the organoids will help researchers better understand the origins of autism spectrum disorders, continues the American site. Perhaps then we can begin to separate the spectrum into different categories, which can serve as the basis for treatments and therapies or simply improve our understanding of autism in general.
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