Restoring inhibitory neuron plasticity may reverse neurodevelopmental disorder symptoms, preclinical study suggests

Some of the symptoms of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), such as autism spectrum disorder and epilepsy, may result from dysfunction of certain neurons in the brain and their ability to change their properties in response to experiences—a process called experience-dependent plasticity. In preclinical research published in Nature, a team led by investigators at Mass General Brigham identified genes involved in these neurons' plasticity and then demonstrated benefits of overexpressing one key gene.