Children with autism have abnormally low levels of the CNTNAP2 protein. The protein, which can be detected in cerebrospinal fluid samples, may serve as a new biomarker for autism and could potentially become a target to treat epilepsy that is commonly associated with ASD.
A new study sheds light on why some children with ASD also have epilepsy. Researchers report the catnap2 mutation, associated with autism, does not allow inhibitory neurons to correctly form and this can lead to an increased risk of seizures.