Discovery of cellular cleansing in the human brain: Is the mystery of autism and epilepsy solved?

The dark spot that has been going on for years about how the human brain structures itself during the birth process has been clarified by scientists. A comprehensive study published in the respected science journal Nature proved that the brain operates an extraordinary "quality control" mechanism throughout the process from fetal development in the womb to postnatal development. The study, in which more than 2,300 nerve cells were examined, showed that the brain liquidates billions of neurons with damaged genetic structure.

GENOMIC SCREENING MECHANISM DURING BIRTH

Dr., a pediatric neurogeneticist working at Boston Children's Hospital. The research team, led by Diane Shao, examined brain tissue from a wide range of ages, from 14-week-old fetuses to individuals over 90 years old. The gene map of neurons in the cerebral cortex region responsible for memory, learning and consciousness was created.

Single cell sequencing analyzes determined that there were chromosome losses or increases, called 'copying number variation', in more than 25 percent of the neurons in the fetal brain in the womb. However, it was determined that the rate of these defective cells in the baby brains after birth decreased to 6 percent. This more than fourfold decrease in the rate of mutated neurons at birth proved that the brain selects cells carrying healthy genomes and eliminates others.

ABNORMAL SYNAPSES TRIGGER CELLULAR DESTRUCTION

While the scientific world was investigating how the brain distinguishes which cell is healthy, the first important findings were reached. Research results revealed that neurons whose genetic sequence was disrupted also exhibited abnormalities in their ability to establish synapses (connections) with other cells.

Commenting on the research, King's College London neuroscientist Oscar Marín stated that the brain directly targets cells that make faulty connections or fail to function. Thanks to this elimination mechanism, the brain maintains the vital balance between the number of neurons and tissue quality.

A NEW ERA IS AT THE DOOR OF AUTISM AND EPILEPSY TREATMENT

It is anticipated that the findings will be a critical turning point in understanding the origins of neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and epilepsy that occur in childhood. It is stated that a possible disruption in the cleaning mechanism may lead to fewer cells remaining in the brain than necessary or dysfunctional cells to accumulate and disrupt the transmission network.

Experts emphasize that this cellular cleaning system should also be examined on dopaminergic neurons, which play a role in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's. The study opens the door to new treatment strategies to prevent neurological diseases while they are still in the womb.