Two opposing brain gene patterns found across autism models

A new study identifies two opposing patterns of brain gene activity across mice with different autism-risk mutations, potentially unifying diverse genetic causes under shared molecular mechanisms. The findings offer a framework for comparing drug responses across genetically distinct models. Researchers analyzed over 1,000 mouse brain transcriptomes from 17 genetically engineered lines. Group 1 showed reduced synaptic communication gene expression and increased chromatin regulation genes, while Group 2 displayed the opposite pattern. Grouping depended on sex, developmental stage, and brain region, not mutation alone. The two groups responded differently to fluoxetine and lithium, though neither drug reversed cell population changes. Preliminary human data showed two similar subgroups, but with distinct immune-related differences. The study does not establish clinical autism types or predict individual treatment responses.