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Study Links Autism to Rapid Human Brain Evolution

9/10/2025

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Evolutionary Autism Insights
  • A study in *Molecular Biology and Evolution* links autism to the rapid evolution of specific brain cell types in humans.
  • Researchers found that layer 2/3 intratelencephalic (L2/3 IT) neurons evolved faster in humans than in other primates.
  • This evolution corresponds with changes in autism-related genes, likely driven by natural selection.
  • Autism affects approximately 3.2% of U.S. children and 1 in 100 globally, indicating unique prevalence.
  • The study suggests autism may be a byproduct of human evolution, connecting genetic changes to neurodiversity.