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Published on: October 17, 2025
Microglia in the cerebral cortex in autism
Nicole A Tetreault1, Atiya Y Hakeem, Sue Jiang
1Division of Biology, California Institute of Technology, 1200 East California Blvd, MC216-76, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA. nicolet@caltech.edu
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
|April 3, 2012
Summary
Autism is associated with increased microglia, or immune cells, in the brain. This study found significantly higher microglial densities in the fronto-insular and visual cortex of individuals with autism compared to controls.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
Background:
- Microglia play crucial roles in brain development and function.
- Alterations in microglial populations have been implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders like autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate microglial densities in specific cortical regions of individuals with autism.
- To determine if increased microglial presence is a feature of autism in the cerebral cortex.
Main Methods:
- Immunocytochemistry was used to identify microglia in autopsy brain samples.
- Stereological quantification with an optical fractionator probe was employed to determine microglial densities.
- Analyses were conducted blind to subject phenotype.
Main Results:
- Significantly higher microglial densities were observed in the fronto-insular cortex of individuals with autism compared to controls (p = 0.02).
- Significantly greater microglial densities were also found in the visual cortex of individuals with autism versus controls (p = 0.0002).
- One individual with autism showed microglial densities within the control range and was a behavioral outlier.
Conclusions:
- The findings suggest increased microglial densities in distinct cortical areas in individuals with autism.
- These results support the hypothesis that microglia may be denser throughout the cerebral cortex in autism.
