Geneva Scientists Link Autism Social Deficits to Neural Circuit Defect

Research confirms a faulty brain pathway disrupts attention shifting, impairing social interactions and cognitive development in children with ASD.

University of Geneva researchers identified a defective communication pathway between the superior colliculus and ventral tegmental area in the brain as a key factor in social interaction challenges in autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
The defect was validated through studies on Shank3 knockout mice, which exhibited social orientation deficits similar to those seen in children with ASD.
Innovative unsedated MRI protocols in young children confirmed the presence of the same neural circuit defect, enabling early prediction of cognitive outcomes.
Deficits in rapid attention shifting hinder the ability of children with ASD to interpret social cues, leading to broader cognitive development challenges.
Intensive behavioral interventions, requiring 20 hours per week over two years, have shown significant success, improving IQ scores by an average of 20 points and allowing 75% of participants to attend mainstream schools.