Pinpointing where autism and schizophrenia genes switch on

A preprint mapping risk-gene activity to specific brain regions, not just broad cell types. Not yet peer-reviewed.

Researchers wanted to figure out exactly where in the brain genes linked to autism and schizophrenia are most active, since most prior research could identify the cell types involved (excitatory and inhibitory neurons) but not clearly map which brain regions mattered most. Using a technique called spatial transcriptomics on mouse brain tissue, combined with a new statistical method they developed, the team found that autism-associated genes were most concentrated in the thalamus, with the cortex as a secondary hub. Schizophrenia-linked genes also showed up most strongly in the thalamus, but additionally implicated the hippocampus and cortex. This adds significant weight to a growing idea that the thalamus, traditionally thought of mainly as a sensory relay station, is actually a major player in complex psychiatric conditions, while also showing autism and schizophrenia share some underlying brain circuitry but diverge in others.