April 26, 2022

Colloquium Topic: The human brain on a continuum: the genetics behind autism spectrum disorder

Human traits are distributed for the most part on a continuum and similar to metabolic and morphological features, brain functions such as social cognition and mental flexibility, which underlie autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis are also continuously distributed in humans. This continuous distribution of traits means that we have adopted thresholds at which we define disease. Moreover, many of those who have relative disabilities, have strengths in certain areas, including exceptional abilities. I will reflect on these observations and how recent advances in genetics might inform our framing of disorders like autism. These observations in some aspects support ASD as an extraordinary variation of the human mind.

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Colloquium Speaker: Dr. Daniel Geschwind

Dr. Geschwind is the Gordon and Virginia MacDonald Distinguished Professor of Neurology, Psychiatry and Human Genetics at UCLA. In his capacity as Senior Associate Dean and Associate Vice Chancellor of Precision Health, he leads the Institute for Precision Health (IPH) at UCLA. In his laboratory, his group has pioneered the application of systems biology methods in neurologic and psychiatric disease, with a focus on autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and neurodegenerative conditions. His laboratory has made major contributions to identifying genetic causes of autism spectrum disorder, defining the molecular pathology of autism and allied psychiatric disorders, and has worked to increase diversity in autism research. His work in dementia is focused on the mechanisms of tauopathies, where his laboratory is developing novel therapeutic approaches. He sits on editorial boards of Cell, Science and Neuron, is among the highest cited neurologist in the world, and has received several awards for his laboratory’s work and is an elected Member of the American Association of Physicians and the National Academy of Medicine.