Short tandem repeat expansions in cortical layer-specific genes implicate in phenotypic severity and adaptability of autism spectrum disorder.

Aim: Short tandem repeats (STRs) are repetitive DNA sequences and highly mutable in various human disorders. While the involvement of STRs in various genetic disorders has been extensively studied, their role in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) remains largely unexplored. In this study, we aimed to investigate genetic association of STR expansions with ASD using whole genome sequencing (WGS) and identify risk loci associated with ASD phenotypes.

Ferroptosis-Related Genes in Neurodevelopment and Central Nervous System.

Ferroptosis, first introduced as a new form of regulated cell death induced by erastin, is accompanied by the accumulation of iron and lipid peroxides, thus it can be inhibited either by iron chelators or by lipophilic antioxidants. In the past decade, multiple studies have introduced the potential importance of ferroptosis in many human diseases, including cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we will discuss the genetic association of ferroptosis with neurological disorders and development of the central nervous system.