New Findings from Cleveland Clinic in the Area of Autism Spectrum Disorders Described (The Mef2c Gene Dose-dependently Controls Hippocampal Neurogenesis and the Expression of Autism-like Behaviors).

A recent study conducted at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio has found that mutations in the Mef2c gene are associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and related behavioral deficits. The researchers aimed to investigate the role of Mef2c in the structure and function of newly generated dentate granule cells (DGCs) in the postnatal hippocampus, as well as its impact on ASD behaviors. The study revealed that Mef2c plays a dose-dependent role in neurogenesis and is critical for proper social behavior. These findings contribute to our understanding of the genetic factors involved in ASD and may have implications for future research and treatment approaches. [Extracted from the article]