Placental function linked to brain injuries associated with autism | Children's National

Placental function linked to brain injuries associated with autism | Children's National

Placental function linked to brain injuries associated with autism Allopregnanolone, a hormone made by the placenta late in pregnancy, is such a potent neurosteroid that disrupting its steady supply to the developing fetus can leave it vulnerable to brain injuries associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to research presented by Claire-Marie Vacher, Ph.D., during the Pediatric Academic Societies 2019 Annual Meeting.