Brain inflammation in early childhood may lead to autism and schizophrenia

12 October 2023 , 18:38

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Severe inflammation in early childhood is a clinically known risk factor for developing autism and schizophrenia (Image: Getty Images/Maskot)

Recent breakthroughs in the medical field could give doctors new means to treat mental disorders in children like autism and schizophrenia.

American researchers have found that brain inflammation in youngsters may cause the disorders. The team discovered that inflammation stops some neurons from maturing in the developing brain - a breakthrough which they say could open the door to new treatments.

Severe inflammation in early childhood is a clinically known risk factor for developing autism and schizophrenia. Now, for the first time, scientists from the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) have discovered that inflammation alters the development of vulnerable brain cells, and could have links to neuro-developmental disorders.

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UMSOM scientist that inflammation in the brain is linked to autism and schizophrenia (Getty Images)

Using single-cell genomics to study the brains of children who died from inflammatory conditions - such as bacterial or viral infections or asthma - along with those who died in a sudden accident, the research team found inflammation in early childhood prevents specific neurons in the cerebellum from maturing completely.

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The cerebellum is a brain region responsible for motor control and cognitive functions used in language, social skills, and emotional regulation.

Previous research has shown that babies born with abnormalities of the cerebellum often go on to experience neurodevelopmental disorders, and animal models exposed to inflammation before birth also develop the conditions.

Study co-leader Dr Seth Ament, of UMSOM, said: “We looked at the cerebellum because it is one of the first brain regions to begin developing and one of the last to reach its maturity, but it remains understudied.

The study found that two specific cerebellar neurons were most vulnerable to brain inflammation (Getty Images)

“With the fairly new technology of single nucleus RNA sequencing we could look at the cell level to see changes in the brains.” Co-leader Professor Margaret McCarthy said “This has never been done before in this age group and in the context of inflammation.

"The gene expression in the cerebella of children with inflammation were remarkably consistent.” The research team examined donated post-mortem brain tissues of 17 children who died when they were one to five years old, eight from conditions that involved inflammation and nine from accidents.

None of the donors had been diagnosed with a neurological disorder. The brain tissue specimens had been collected over many years by UMSOM researchers.

The study found that two specific, yet rare types of cerebellar neurons were most vulnerable to brain inflammation - the Golgi and Purkinje neurons.

The researchers explained that, at the single-cell level, these two types of neurons showed premature disruption of their maturation. Dr Ament said: “Although rare, Purkinje and Golgi neurons have critical functions.

“During development, Purkinje neurons form synapses connecting the cerebellum to other brain regions involved in cognition or emotional control, while Golgi neurons coordinate communication between cells within the cerebellum.

Mataeo Smith