Disruption of DNA Repair as an Emerging Epigenetic Mechanism Underlying Autism Spectrum Disorder

Benjamin Kelvington; Jaekyoon Kim; Sourav Banerjee; Hanna E. Stevens; Kim Hei-Man Chow; Ted Abel

doi:10.1007/s11920-026-01684-2

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Disruption of DNA Repair as an Emerging Epigenetic Mechanism Underlying Autism Spectrum Disorder

Journal article

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Disruption of DNA Repair as an Emerging Epigenetic Mechanism Underlying Autism Spectrum Disorder

Benjamin Kelvington, Jaekyoon Kim, Sourav Banerjee, Hanna E. Stevens, Kim Hei-Man Chow and Ted Abel

Current psychiatry reports, Vol.28(1), 33

12/01/2026

DOI: 10.1007/s11920-026-01684-2

PMCID: PMC13222229

PMID: 42217058

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Abstract

Purpose of Review To summarize recent advances in our conceptual understanding of the epigenetic mechanisms of DNA repair contributing to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Recent Findings Large-scale genetic studies indicate that genes involved in DNA repair contribute to some cases of ASD, and smaller scale studies have reported increased DNA damage in peripheral tissues of both individuals with ASD and their parents. ASD-associated chromatin remodelers, thought to contribute to ASD by regulating gene expression, also facilitate DNA repair. Recent evidence has provided some mechanistic insight into the function of ASD-associated genes in the epigenetic regulation of DNA repair. Importantly, the disruption of DNA repair is a leading candidate to explain the emerging connection between ASD and neurodegenerative disease and may also provide insight into sex differences in ASD. Summary Here, we highlight recent evidence that dysfunction of the DNA repair machinery is an overlooked mechanism underlying ASD, one which requires further systematic study for the benefit of individuals with ASD and their support systems.

Psychiatry

Medicine

Medicine & Public Health

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Details

Title: Subtitle: Disruption of DNA Repair as an Emerging Epigenetic Mechanism Underlying Autism Spectrum Disorder
Creators: Benjamin Kelvington - University of Iowa
Jaekyoon Kim - University of Iowa
Sourav Banerjee - National Brain Research Centre
Hanna E. Stevens - University of Iowa
Kim Hei-Man Chow - Chinese University of Hong Kong
Ted Abel - University of Iowa
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Current psychiatry reports, Vol.28(1), 33
DOI: 10.1007/s11920-026-01684-2
PMID: 42217058
PMCID: PMC13222229
NLM abbreviation: Curr Psychiatry Rep
ISSN: 1523-3812
eISSN: 1535-1645
Publisher: Springer US
Grant note: CUHK-Gerald Choa Neuroscience Institute start-up funding NIH P50 HD103556 / University of Iowa Hawkeye Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center PI: ECS24107121, PI: 16100219, and PI: 11410824 / Hong Kong Research Grants Council - General Research Fund CRG/2022/003117 / Anusandhan National Research Foundation Roy J. Carver Directorship of the Iowa Neuroscience Institute F31 MH134542, T32 GM067795; R01 MH087463, R01 DA056113 / National Institutes of Health (https://doi.org/10.13039/100000002) NARSAD Young Investigator Grant 32261 / Brain & Behavior Research Foundation
Language: English
Date published: 12/01/2026
Academic Unit: Molecular Physiology and Biophysics; Psychiatry; Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Neuroscience and Pharmacology; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Record Identifier: 9985166983502771

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