Microglial involvement in autism spectrum disorder: insights from human data and iPSC models.

This research review looks at brain cells called microglia and their role in autism. Microglia help brain connections form properly during development. Scientists are now using new lab techniques with human brain cells grown from stem cells to better understand autism. These new methods may help us learn more about what causes autism than older studies using animals or brain tissue from deceased people.

This review examines the role of microglia (brain immune cells) in autism spectrum disorder using innovative human-based research models. The authors highlight how traditional animal and postmortem studies have limitations in understanding human-specific neurodevelopmental processes in ASD. The review focuses on recent advances using induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neural cultures and brain organoids to study microglia-neuron interactions. These human model systems offer new insights into how early disruptions in microglial function may contribute to ASD pathophysiology, particularly affecting synaptic development and stability.

The review evaluates current research using these approaches and discusses their potential for advancing understanding of ASD mechanisms.

The review suggests that understanding microglial function in ASD may inform future therapeutic approaches targeting early neurodevelopment. However, as this evaluates emerging research methodologies rather than established treatments, clinical applications remain in development stages.

This is a review paper that evaluates existing research rather than presenting new experimental data. The neurobiological mechanisms underlying ASD are acknowledged as still not fully understood, indicating ongoing knowledge gaps in the field.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) presents a range of lifelong challenges in social communication, repetitive behaviors, and restricted interests, affecting over 2% of the preschool population. Early neurodevelopmental disruptions, particularly those affecting microglia, appear to be central to the pathophysiology of ASD, with microglia influencing synaptic development and stability in the brain. However, the neurobiological mechanisms underlying ASD are still not fully understood. Traditional ASD studies, which rely on animal models and postmortem tissues, have limitations in capturing human-specific neurodevelopmental dynamics.

Recent advances in human model systems, including induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neural cultures and brain organoids, offer promising insights into microglia-neuron interactions relevant to ASD. This review evaluates current research using human-based models to explore ASD pathophysiology, focusing on the role of microglia in neurodevelopment, and discusses the strengths and future potential of these innovative approaches.