Autism spectrum disorder risk linked to insufficient placental steroid | Children's National

Autism spectrum disorder risk linked to insufficient placental steroid | Children's National

Autism spectrum disorder risk linked to insufficient placental steroid

A study led by Children’s National Hospital and presented during Neuroscience 2019 finds that loss of allopregnanolone, a key hormone supplied by the placenta, leads to long-term structural alterations of the cerebellum – a brain region essential for smooth motor coordination, balance and social cognition – and increases the risk of developing autism.