Why autism may be linked to our unique cognitive abilities

The answer may lie in how quickly our brains evolved.

 

The price of a powerful brain The same rapid brain evolution that gave humans language, abstract reasoning, and culture may have also made us vulnerable to autism, according to new research. Perhaps surprisingly, humans do not have any unique brain cell types. We use the exact same collection of neurons as mice. What makes us different is how they're connected and which genes are turned on or off within them. Scientists have found that the Layer 2/3 neurons, which are critical for uniquely human abilities, evolved "unexpectedly quickly" compared to those of other apes. These cells connect different brain regions, enabling complex cognition. However, in humans, they exhibit reduced activity in autism-associated genes compared to other primates. "The very features which make human cognition extraordinary — such as enhanced connectivity and cortical expansion — may also introduce vulnerabilities," explained Luke Barr, MD, a neurologist at SensIQ. Rather than viewing autism as a disorder, researchers increasingly see it as a "neurodevelopmental variation linked to the neural systems that enable uniquely human cognitive abilities." But not everyone agrees. John Jay Gargus, MD, PhD, from UC Irvine, argued the real culprit is energy. Our brains use approximately 20% of our body's energy, despite occupying only 2% of our body weight. He believes autism reflects mismatches between our energy-hungry modern brains and the metabolic systems supporting them, noting that mild mitochondrial dysfunction is common in autism. To learn more about why humans have no unique brain cell types and what this means for understanding neurodiversity, jump to "Autism may be the price of human intelligence." Also making headlines this week: 💔 99% of cardiovascular events are linked to preventable factors ☕ Coffee protects liver health in five different ways 🧬 Gene therapy slows Huntington's disease by 75% We love to hear from you, so please email us if you have any feedback, comments, or questions about this weekend's Sunday Supplement. Stay informed and stay healthy! Tim Snaith Newsletter Editor, Medical News Today

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