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Male sex is a strong risk factor for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The leading theory for a "female protective effect" (FPE) envisions males and females have "differing thresholds" under a "liability threshold model" (DT-LTM). Specifically, this model posits that females require either a greater number or larger magnitude of risk factors (i.e., greater liability) to manifest ASD, which is supported by the finding that a greater proportion of females with ASD have highly penetrant genetic mutations. Herein, we derive testable hypotheses from the DT-LTM for ASD, investigating heritability, familial recurrence, correlation between ASD penetrance and sex ratio, population traits, clinical features, the stability of the sex ratio across diagnostic changes, and highlight other key prerequisites. Our findings reveal that several key predictions of the DT-LTM are not supported by current data, requiring us to establish a different conceptual framework for evaluating alternate models that explain sex differences in ASD. Approximately 4 times more males than females are diagnosed with autism. This comprehensive review of the evidence highlights key weaknesses in the dominant model used to explain this difference and raises the possibility of alternative explanations for the phenomenon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Tau aggregation occurs in neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s disease and many other disorders collectively termed tauopathies. trans-cellular propagation of tau pathology, mediated by extracellular tau aggregates, may underlie pathogenesis of these conditions. P301S tau transgenic mice express mutant human tau protein and develop progressive tau pathology. Using a cell-based biosensor assay, we screened anti-tau monoclonal antibodies for their ability to block seeding activity present in P301S brain lysates. We infused three effective antibodies or controls into the lateral ventricle of P301S mice for 3 months. The antibodies markedly reduced hyperphosphorylated, aggregated, and insoluble tau. They also blocked development of tau seeding activity detected in brain lysates using the biosensor assay, reduced microglial activation, and improved cognitive deficits. These data imply a central role for extracellular tau aggregates in the development of pathology. They also suggest that immunotherapy specifically designed to block trans-cellular aggregate propagation will be a productive treatment strategy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Human genetics have defined a new neurodevelopmental syndrome caused by loss-of-function mutations in MYT1L , a transcription factor known for enabling fibroblast-to-neuron conversions. However, how MYT1L mutation causes intellectual disability, autism, ADHD, obesity, and brain anomalies is unknown. Here, we developed a Myt1l haploinsufficient mouse model that develops obesity, white-matter thinning, and microcephaly, mimicking common clinical phenotypes. During brain development we discovered disrupted gene expression, mediated in part by loss of Myt1l gene-target activation, and identified precocious neuronal differentiation as the mechanism for microcephaly. In contrast, in adults we discovered that mutation results in failure of transcriptional and chromatin maturation, echoed in disruptions in baseline physiological properties of neurons. Myt1l haploinsufficiency also results in behavioral anomalies, including hyperactivity, muscle weakness, and social alterations, with more severe phenotypes in males. Overall, our findings provide insight into the mechanistic underpinnings of this disorder and enable future preclinical studies. [Display omitted] • Myt1l +/− mice mimic patient phenotypes (e.g., obesity, microcephaly, hyperactivity) • MYT1L loss causes precocious differentiation and progenitor depletion embryonically • Myt1l +/− mice show disrupted neuronal maturation in juveniles and adults • Myt1l +/− mice display ASD-related social impairments, especially in males Chen et al. establish the first mouse model of MYT1L syndrome and investigate MYT1L's function across development in vivo. They show that MYT1L loss of function leads to deficits in cell proliferation, neuronal maturation, and human ADHD/ASD-related behaviors, enabling future preclinical studies for disease therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite six decades of the use of exogenous oxytocin for management of labor, little is known about its effects on the developing brain. Motivated by controversial reports suggesting a link between oxytocin use during labor and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), we employed our recently validated rat model for labor induction with oxytocin to address this important concern. Using a combination of molecular biological, behavioral, and neuroimaging assays, we show that induced birth with oxytocin leads to sex-specific disruption of oxytocinergic signaling in the developing brain, decreased communicative ability of pups, reduced empathy-like behaviors especially in male offspring, and widespread sex-dependent changes in functional cortical connectivity. Contrary to our hypothesis, social behavior, typically impaired in ASDs, was largely preserved. Collectively, our foundational studies provide nuanced insights into the neurodevelopmental impact of birth induction with oxytocin and set the stage for mechanistic investigations in animal models and prospective longitudinal clinical studies., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024 The Author(s).)

Phenotypic heterogeneity in monogenic neurodevelopmental disorders can arise from differential severity of variants underlying disease, but how distinct alleles drive variable disease presentation is not well understood. Here, we investigate missense mutations in DNA methyltransferase 3A (DNMT3A), a DNA methyltransferase associated with overgrowth, intellectual disability, and autism, to uncover molecular correlates of phenotypic heterogeneity. We generate a Dnmt3a P900L/+ mouse mimicking a mutation with mild to moderate severity and compare phenotypic and epigenomic effects with a severe R878H mutation. P900L mutants exhibit core growth and behavioral phenotypes shared across models but show subtle epigenomic changes, while R878H mutants display extensive disruptions. We identify mutation-specific dysregulated genes that may contribute to variable disease severity. Shared transcriptomic disruption identified across mutations overlaps dysregulation observed in other developmental disorder models and likely drives common phenotypes. Together, our findings define central drivers of DNMT3A disorders and illustrate how variable epigenomic disruption contributes to phenotypic heterogeneity in neurodevelopmental disease., Competing Interests: Declaration of interests The authors declare no competing interests., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Within eukaryotic cells, translation is regulated independent of transcription, enabling nuanced, localized, and rapid responses to stimuli. Neurons respond transcriptionally and translationally to synaptic activity. Although transcriptional responses are documented in astrocytes, here we test whether astrocytes have programmed translational responses. We show that seizure activity rapidly changes the transcripts on astrocyte ribosomes, some predicted to be downstream of BDNF signaling. In acute slices, we quantify the extent to which cues of neuronal activity activate translation in astrocytes and show that this translational response requires the presence of neurons, indicating that the response is non-cell autonomous. We also show that this induction of new translation extends into the periphery of astrocytes. Finally, synaptic proteomics show that new translation is required for changes that occur in perisynaptic astrocyte protein composition after fear conditioning. Regulation of translation in astrocytes by neuronal activity suggests an additional mechanism by which astrocytes may dynamically modulate nervous system functioning., Competing Interests: Declaration of interests J.D.D. has previously received royalties related to the TRAP method. Y.Z. has consulted for Ono Pharmaceuticals., (Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Mutations of the transcriptional regulator PHF6 cause the X-linked intellectual disability disorder Börjeson-Forssman-Lehmann syndrome (BFLS), but the pathogenesis of BFLS remains poorly understood. Here, we report a mouse model of BFLS, generated using a CRISPR-Cas9 approach, in which cysteine 99 within the PHD domain of PHF6 is replaced with phenylalanine (C99F). Mice harboring the patient-specific C99F mutation display deficits in cognitive functions, emotionality, and social behavior, as well as reduced threshold to seizures. Electrophysiological studies reveal that the intrinsic excitability of entorhinal cortical stellate neurons is increased in PHF6 C99F mice. Transcriptomic analysis of the cerebral cortex in C99F knockin mice and PHF6 knockout mice show that PHF6 promotes the expression of neurogenic genes and represses synaptic genes. PHF6-regulated genes are also overrepresented in gene signatures and modules that are deregulated in neurodevelopmental disorders of cognition. Our findings advance our understanding of the mechanisms underlying BFLS pathogenesis., (Copyright © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)