Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026

Studying Protein Function and the Role of Altered Protein Expression by Antibody Interference and Three-dimensional Reconstructions
Published on: April 21, 2016
The abnormal regulation of gene expression in autistic brain tissue
A E Purcell1, O H Jeon, J Pevsner
1Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Abstract:
Autism is a pervasive developmental disorder of unknown etiology. It is likely caused by mutations in one or more genes. One approach to understanding the molecular changes that occur in autism is to measure gene expression in post-mortem brain samples from individuals diagnosed with autism. This may be accomplished with techniques such as cDNA microarrays or subtractive hybridization. In general, gene expression is regulated as a function of body region, developmental time, and physiological state. A premise of the approaches we describe is that gene expression is regulated in cells from autistic individuals as a consequence of the disease process. It may be useful to detect such changes in order to identify selective biological markers for autism. Additionally, the abnormal regulation of gene expression may reveal cellular pathways that have been disrupted, suggesting strategies for therapeutic intervention.
Related Concept Videos
Pleiotropy
Epigenetic Regulation
Neural Regulation
Epigenetic Regulation
X-chromosome...
Biological Causes of Schizophrenia
Genetic Factors in Schizophrenia
The genetic basis of schizophrenia is strongly supported by family and twin studies.
Autism Spectrum Disorder
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.

