MiR-128 May Link to Abnormal ASD Brain Development

Photo: tanakawho / flickr / cc by-nc 

• ASD stands for 'Autism Spectrum Disorders'
  • Repetitive behavior, Communication and social difficulties
• NPC stands for 'Neural Precursor Cells'
• PCM1, a protein, is fundamental to NPC cell division
• Researchers identified a mechanism that potentially links abnormal brain development to the cause of ASD
• MiR-128 (microRNA) regulates brain development, neuronal behavior
• Findings suggest miR-128 targets PCM1 protein, causing:
  • Dysfunctional PCM1 regulation
  • Impairing brain development
  • Possibly underlining brain size changes in ASD cases
• Significance: Improve development of ASD therapeutic interventions
• Published in the journal eLife