Review

Decoding Autism: The Role of Synaptic Dysfunction in Neurodevelopment

Volume: 78 Number: 3 September 30, 2025
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Decoding Autism: The Role of Synaptic Dysfunction in Neurodevelopment

Abstract

The human brain is comprised of intricate neuronal networks that comprise approximately 100 trillion synapses, which underpin functional connectivity. Disruptions in these synaptic connections play a fundamental role in several neurological disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). During early development, genes related to ASD, coupled with environmental stressors, effect brain development and neural circuit formation. Genes associated with the structure and functioning of synapses demonstrate a significant prevalence of mutations within individuals diagnosed with ASD. In addition, environmental factors and mitochondrial dysfunction affecting synaptic metabolism also contribute to the pathophysiology of ASD. Understanding the link between synaptic dysfunction and autism symptoms may provide new perspectives for therapeutic approaches. The purpose of the present analysis is to furnish the reader with an overview of the findings pertaining to synaptic dysfunction in ASD.

Keywords

Autism spectrum disorder, Synaptic transmission, Synapse

Supporting Institution

This study received no financial support.

Thanks

We would like to thank and apologize to those scientists whose works have not been cited in this article due to limited space.

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APA
Çetinkaya, F., Bandırmalı, D., & Gümüş Akay, G. (2025). Decoding Autism: The Role of Synaptic Dysfunction in Neurodevelopment. Ankara Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Mecmuası, 78(3), 259-272. https://doi.org/10.65092/autfm.1715662
AMA
1.Çetinkaya F, Bandırmalı D, Gümüş Akay G. Decoding Autism: The Role of Synaptic Dysfunction in Neurodevelopment. Ankara Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Mecmuası. 2025;78(3):259-272. doi:10.65092/autfm.1715662
Chicago
Çetinkaya, Filiz, Duygu Bandırmalı, and Güvem Gümüş Akay. 2025. “Decoding Autism: The Role of Synaptic Dysfunction in Neurodevelopment”. Ankara Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Mecmuası 78 (3): 259-72. https://doi.org/10.65092/autfm.1715662.
EndNote
Çetinkaya F, Bandırmalı D, Gümüş Akay G (September 1, 2025) Decoding Autism: The Role of Synaptic Dysfunction in Neurodevelopment. Ankara Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Mecmuası 78 3 259–272.
IEEE
[1]F. Çetinkaya, D. Bandırmalı, and G. Gümüş Akay, “Decoding Autism: The Role of Synaptic Dysfunction in Neurodevelopment”, Ankara Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Mecmuası, vol. 78, no. 3, pp. 259–272, Sept. 2025, doi: 10.65092/autfm.1715662.
ISNAD
Çetinkaya, Filiz - Bandırmalı, Duygu - Gümüş Akay, Güvem. “Decoding Autism: The Role of Synaptic Dysfunction in Neurodevelopment”. Ankara Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Mecmuası 78/3 (September 1, 2025): 259-272. https://doi.org/10.65092/autfm.1715662.
JAMA
1.Çetinkaya F, Bandırmalı D, Gümüş Akay G. Decoding Autism: The Role of Synaptic Dysfunction in Neurodevelopment. Ankara Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Mecmuası. 2025;78:259–272.
MLA
Çetinkaya, Filiz, et al. “Decoding Autism: The Role of Synaptic Dysfunction in Neurodevelopment”. Ankara Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Mecmuası, vol. 78, no. 3, Sept. 2025, pp. 259-72, doi:10.65092/autfm.1715662.
Vancouver
1.Filiz Çetinkaya, Duygu Bandırmalı, Güvem Gümüş Akay. Decoding Autism: The Role of Synaptic Dysfunction in Neurodevelopment. Ankara Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Mecmuası. 2025 Sep. 1;78(3):259-72. doi:10.65092/autfm.1715662