Superfund Research Program

August 2023

Paper of the Month or Year

Researchers partly funded by the NIEHS Superfund Research Program (SRP) identified key changes in placental gene expression that are associated with the development of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children born preterm. The study was led by a team at the University of Carolina at Chapel Hill SRP Center.

Children born preterm are at heightened risk of neurodevelopmental impairments, such as those observed in ASD. According to the authors, certain gene expression changes in the placenta may be used as biomarkers to predict ASD at birth and facilitate more timely and effective interventions.

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