Biological Origins of Autism Heterogeneity

Typically developing individuals exhibit broad heterogeneity in cognitive, social and emotional behaviors. While neuroscientists are still struggling with understanding the mechanisms that underlie this heterogeneity, the field now has recognized that individual differences, even between two individuals with the same categorical neurodevelopmental diagnosis, can be profound. Thus, the identical causal mutation often leads to clinical symptoms that may differ widely in those who are affected. These differences, in turn, create challenges for implementing the most effective clinical treatments. Studies will be presented that characterize the biological nodes that may contribute to functional heterogeneity. Experiments address the heritable contributions to behavioral heterogeneity broadly, and that different components of complex behavior may be impacted by distinct genetic factors. Moreover, studies will be presented that address circuit, molecular and cellular mechanisms that underlie differences in neurodevelopmental trajectories of vulnerable circuitry. The presentation will emphasize new ideas regarding the biological nodes as being dynamic, and influenced by genetic and environmental factors – all of which can contribute to the thinking about the most effective ways to move away from ‘one size fits all’ approaches to treatment.