The Etiological Role of Microglia in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Possible Route for Early Intervention

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a dreaded diagnosis. The treatment options are sparse and our knowledge of its etiology is woefully lacking. The purpose of this review is to outline a unifying pathway for the pathogenesis of Autism Spectrum Disorder and to describe how this sequence could be exploited to offer early intervention to patients at high risk of developing ASD. Specifically, we will describe how gestational insults can alter the lifelong functioning of fetal microglia. Those aberrant microglia are unable to properly fulfill their roles in cortical differentiation as well as synaptogenesis and the resulting cortical disorganization plus dendritic overgrowth may be responsible for the characteristic Autistic phenotype. This pathogenic pathway presents several opportunities for intervention. If applied early enough, it is possible that these therapies could alleviate some of the symptoms of ASD.

The putative etiology and prevention of autism

“…As noted earlier, maternal infections or inflammatory immune activation in pregnant women may actuate microglial factors and promote the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. 21,22 Microglia are able to produce IGF-1. This may reduce the number of babies destined to become autistic (see discussion below).…”