Researchers have made great strides to understand early signs of autism.

Studies have found that certain factors like genetics, sleep deprivation, excess fluid in the brain—and brain size—can increase the risk of neurodevelopmental conditions, like autism.

Brain size and autism risk factors

Brain overgrowth has emerged as a new potential early biomarker of autism in recent years. Researchers are now seeking to understand why and how this is the case. New research in the lab of Jason Stein, Ph.D., a genetics expert at the UNC School of Medicine, has just identified two specific types of brain cells linked to increased brain growth.