Insulin-like growth factor 1 partially rescues early developmental defects caused by SHANK2 knockdown in human neurons.

SHANK2 is a scaffold protein that serves as a protein anchor at the postsynaptic density in neurons. Genetic variants of SHANK2 are strongly associated with synaptic dysfunction and the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorder. Recent studies indicate that early neuronal developmental defects play a role in the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder, and that insulin-like growth factor 1 has a positive effect on neurite development.