Scientists Identify 2 Distinct Subtypes of Autism in The Brain
Researchers have identified two biologically distinct subtypes of autism—one marked by excessive brain connectivity (hyperconnectivity) and another by reduced connectivity (hypoconnectivity)—using fMRI scans of nearly 1,000 autistic individuals and 20 genetically engineered mouse models. The findings suggest autism may not be a single disorder but a spectrum of conditions with different neural and biological pathways. This discovery could refine interventions and improve precision in medical strategies. The subtypes are linked to synaptic dysfunction in hypoconnectivity cases and immune/transcriptional alterations in hyperconnectivity cases.
What changed
New cross-species neuroimaging study confirms two replicable autism subtypes based on brain connectivity patterns, supported by both human and mouse model data.
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Brain scans reveal two distinct autism subtypes linked to connectivity patterns
confidence 98%Researchers have identified two biologically distinct subtypes of autism—one marked by excessive brain connectivity (hyperconnectivity) and another by reduced connectivity (hypoconnectivity)—using fMRI scans of nearly 1,000 autistic individuals and 20 genetically engineered mouse models. The findings suggest autism may not be a single disorder but a spectrum of conditions with different neural and biological pathways. This discovery could refine interventions and improve precision in medical strategies. The subtypes are linked to synaptic dysfunction in hypoconnectivity cases and immune/transcriptional alterations in hyperconnectivity cases.
What's confirmed:
- Scientists have found evidence that autism includes at least two biologically distinct subtypes, differentiated by patterns of brain communication: one with hyperconnectivity (excessive communication between brain regions) and another with hypoconnectivity (reduced communication).
- The study combined fMRI brain scans from 940 autistic individuals with data from 20 genetically engineered mouse models of autism to identify these subtypes.
- The hyperconnectivity subtype is associated with transcriptional and immune-related alterations, while the hypoconnectivity subtype is linked to synaptic dysfunction.
- These subtypes are highly replicable and associated with distinct functional network architectures and behavioral profiles in humans.
- The research suggests autism may represent multiple conditions rather than a single disorder, potentially transforming medical strategies and advancing neuroscience.
Still unconfirmed:
- Autism has long been viewed as a single condition with widely varying symptoms, but this new research may challenge that perspective by revealing underlying biological differences.