A groundbreaking new study has revealed that extremes in brain synchrony—either too much or too little—may underlie distinct subtypes of autism, offering Thai families, educators, and clinicians fresh hope for more tailored approaches to diagnosis and support. Published on 17 April 2025 in The Transmitter, the research used advanced brain imaging across twenty mouse models genetically engineered to mimic autism, with remarkable implications for understanding the diversity—or heterogeneity—of the autism spectrum in humans (The Transmitter, 2025).
Why does this matter for Thai readers? Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)—known locally as โรคออทิสติก—affects tens of thousands of children and adults in Thailand. The Ministry of Public Health reports that ASD prevalence has been rising, partly due to increased awareness but also because research struggles to keep pace with the complexity of the condition (World Health Organization, 2023). Parents and teachers often face challenges in understanding why treatments or interventions succeed for some individuals but not for others. This new research signals an emerging scientific consensus: autism is not a single disease, but a spectrum with multiple biological subtypes—each with its own underlying brain dynamics.
The study led by Alessandro Gozzi and his team at the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia set out to identify biologically meaningful subtypes of autism by examining how well different regions of the brain “sync up”—what scientists term global functional connectivity. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), a technology increasingly used in major Thai hospitals and universities, researchers mapped the brain activity across seventeen genetic mouse models, as well as models based on maternal immune activation and altered microglial genes, which are all linked to autism (The Transmitter, 2025).
They discovered two distinct patterns: in the “hyperconnectivity” subtype, brain regions are overly synchronous—constantly “talking” in unison. Conversely, in the “hypoconnectivity” subtype, brain regions are out of sync, failing to coordinate activities effectively. Key areas such as the medial prefrontal cortex, striatum, and basal forebrain were affected in opposite ways between the subtypes, suggesting not only different brain wiring but also different day-to-day cognitive and behavior implications.
One remarkable finding was the translation of these subtypes to human data. When researchers compared their animal findings to brain imaging scans from 940 people with idiopathic autism (autism without a known genetic cause), they found that about 24 percent could be reliably grouped into “hyper-” or “hypoconnectivity” subtypes—well above random chance (The Transmitter, 2025). Even more exciting for clinical application, individuals with hyperconnectivity tended to experience more severe autism traits, as measured by the well-known Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2).
Ravi Menon, a professor at the University of Western Ontario who was not involved in the study, called the research “a first step” towards understanding the biological basis for autism’s variability, adding that the comparative aspect helps validate animal models long relied upon for drug and intervention testing (The Transmitter, 2025). Dr. Kaustubh Supekar of Stanford University emphasized the need for caution, noting that while these subtype labels are promising, brain connectivity patterns can shift as children develop—a key consideration for Thai parents advocating for ongoing, age-specific interventions.
At the molecular level, the two subtypes mapped onto different biological pathways. The hyperconnectivity group showed dysfunction in immune and gene transcription pathways, while hypoconnectivity was linked to impairments in synaptic function, the tiny connections that allow brain cells to communicate. This distinction may one day be harnessed for individualized therapies—a concept with special relevance in Thailand where access to private, bespoke medical support is often limited to those with financial means.
Another important angle for Thailand’s diverse educational settings: identifying a student as belonging to a brain-based subtype could lead to more targeted teaching approaches. For example, students with hyperconnectivity might struggle with sensory overload or impulsivity, while those with hypoconnectivity may have difficulties processing information or shifting attention—themes echoed in recent Thai research on classroom accommodations and inclusive teaching (Mahidol University, 2022).
However, limitations remain. While the study’s translation from mouse to human is encouraging, researchers could not match the subtypes with highly detailed clinical profiles due to inconsistent data collection methods within large datasets like ABIDE. This is a challenge that Thai research institutions—such as Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital’s Child Development Center—could address by building more harmonized databases reflecting the unique Thai autism experience.
Some international experts urge further validation. Amanda Buch, a researcher at Weill Cornell Medicine, points out that different mathematical clustering algorithms might reveal additional or alternative subtypes, highlighting the need for cautious interpretation until findings are repeatedly confirmed. Furthermore, longitudinal studies are necessary to track how subtypes may shift as a child matures, a topic currently being pursued by Gozzi’s team with plans to use up to 90 mouse models to uncover further branches within the hyper- and hypoconnectivity groups.
For the Thai community, these findings open new doors. While genetic testing is not yet routinely available for ASD in Thailand’s public health system, functional brain imaging could, in the future, support earlier and more precise diagnoses. Thai child psychologists and special education teachers can draw on this research to recognize that two children with autism may need different supports depending not only on their behaviors but on their underlying brain connectivity, reshaping the “same-size-fits-all” approach still common in some schools.
This research also aligns with broader, cross-cultural trends, signaling a shift away from one-size-fits-all autism treatments and toward true personalized medicine (WHO, 2023). In countries like Japan and Singapore, education systems have begun to adjust teacher training and outreach programs to embrace neurodiversity, offering inspiring models for Thailand’s Ministry of Education as it develops national inclusion policies.
For Thai parents and caregivers, a key takeaway is the importance of individualized support and ongoing observation. As Dr. Supekar notes, a child’s connectivity pattern may change—so regular check-ups and adaptive learning plans remain crucial. Schools are encouraged to collaborate more closely with healthcare professionals, including neurologists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists, to track developmental changes over time.
Looking to the future, the study’s findings could pave the way for new therapies targeting specific biological pathways, such as immune modulation for hyperconnectivity or synaptic support for hypoconnectivity. For now, practical recommendations for the Thai context include advocating for comprehensive neurodevelopmental assessment for children showing signs of ASD, encouraging schools to adopt a wide variety of teaching strategies, and supporting research that builds on this brain-based approach to understanding autism.
In conclusion, as Thai society embraces diversity and the promise of precision medicine, research like this offers hope that every individual with autism—regardless of subtype—will receive the support needed to reach their full potential. ขอบคุณค่ะ for joining us in exploring these scientific advances, which bring us ever closer to a future where “neurodiversity is strength.”
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