Study of Brain Proteins Offers New Targets to Treat Autism

A new study published Thursday is mapping how autism-linked genetic mutations disrupt protein interactions in brain cells, pointing to potential drug targets. Researchers focused on severe autism, where about 30% of diagnosed people—often with the most significant disabilities—have single gene mutations strongly associated with the condition. Instead of testing drugs directly at the gene level, the work highlights a missing step: genes build proteins that drive cellular biology through networks of interacting proteins. In the study, Matthew State and colleagues selected 100 proteins tied to severe autism and searched for their molecular partners to clarify what the mutations actually do in the brain.