Mini-brain model of idiopathic autism reveals underlying pathology of neuronal overgrowth

The majority of cases of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are unknown. Now researchers have created a “mini-brain” model, derived from persons with a particular form of idiopathic ASD characterized by over-sized brains, revealing a defective molecular pathway during brain development that results in early neuronal overgrowth and dysfunctional cortical networks.