Synaptic pruning during development and in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a complex neurodevelopmental disease. Evidence from emerging research highlights the role of synaptic pruning, a key process for the formation of neural circuits in the CNS, in the pathophysiology of ASD. The present systematic review of the literature presents recent research findings, on the factors and mechanisms of synaptic pruning and their implications in ASD. Synapse elimination is mainly regulated by microglia, astrocytes, and the complement system. The latest studies suggest that potential impairments in these processes contribute to synaptic hyperconnectivity, which is observed in ASD. In addition, genetic and environmental factors appear to be also influential. Understanding the complex pathways of synaptic pruning provides valuable insights into the neurobiological background of ASD and other neuropsychiatric diseases and offers new perspectives on their prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.