Autism Spectrum Disorders and Metal Dyshomeostasis, Volume III

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a multifaceted neurodevelopmental condition with substantial individual and societal impact. Prevalence estimates vary by region and surveillance method, and ASD is widely understood to arise from complex interactions among genetic susceptibility and environmental and biological co-factors.ASD etiology remains incompletely resolved, in part due to genetic heterogeneity and the likelihood of multiple converging mechanisms. Alongside genetic contributions, prenatal and perinatal exposures, nutritional status, and other biological variables have been associated with ASD likelihood in epidemiological and mechanistic studies. Among these, increasing attention has focused on the potential role of disrupted homeostasis of essential metals during critical windows of neurodevelopment.Essential biometals—including iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu)—support key neurodevelopmental processes, including neuronal proliferation and differentiation, myelination, synaptic development, and neurotransmission. Zinc, for example, contributes to synaptic function and neuromodulation, with downstream relevance to excitatory/inhibitory balance. Copper is important for early developmental processes and enzymatic activities critical for nervous system development. Additional trace elements, such as selenium (Se), manganese (Mn), and molybdenum (Mo), also contribute to neurodevelopment through roles in redox regulation, metabolism, and enzyme function. Deficiency, imbalance, or altered regulation of these ions may disrupt finely tuned developmental programs, with effects that may not be fully reversible by later supplementation.Building on Volumes I and II, this Research Topic (Volume III) will further examine evidence and mechanisms linking essential metal dyshomeostasis to ASD-related neurodevelopmental phenotypes and—importantly—expand the scope to include the role of metalloproteins as mediators that couple metal availability to cellular signaling, redox homeostasis, gene regulation, neuronal connectivity, and neuroimmune interactions. We welcome submissions spanning molecular, cellular, systems, translational, and clinical research that clarify mechanisms, evaluate biomarkers, and assess therapeutic implications relevant to essential metals and metalloproteins in ASD.Articles focused primarily on heavy metal toxicity are outside the scope of this Research Topic.We welcome submissions addressing (but not limited to):o Clinical and experimental evidence reporting essential metal ion deficiency or dyshomeostasis in ASDo Roles of metal ions and metalloproteins in neuronal development, synapse formation, and neuronal communicationo Metalloprotein-mediated regulation of gene expression, redox signaling, inflammation, and neurodevelopmental pathwayso ASD-related phenotypes in clinical cohorts or experimental models linked to altered metal ions/metalloproteinso Biomarker discovery and evaluation involving essential metal status, metal-dependent pathways, and metalloproteinso Evidence on isotopic abundance/signatures of biometals in ASD and related neurodevelopmental conditionso Iron and other essential metal ions in ASD management: clinical evidence, mechanisms, and limitationso Mechanistic work on receptor and pathway biology relevant to ASD (including AMPA, NMDA, GlyRα2-related cortical migration, and GABA(_A) receptor systems) in the context of metal regulationo Selenoproteins and selenium biology in neurodevelopmental disorders: evidence, mechanisms, and translational relevanceo Therapeutic concepts targeting essential metal homeostasis or metalloprotein pathways (including benefits, risks, and patient stratification)Taken together, contributions to this volume will deepen mechanistic understanding of ASD by integrating evidence on essential metal regulation with emerging metalloprotein-centered frameworks, with the goal of informing future biomarker development and therapeutic strategies. Topic editors: Mukesh K Pandey, Sunil Mehta, Andreas Martin Grabrucker Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/78140/autism-spectrum-disorders-and-metal-dyshomeostasis-volume-iii