Figure 1. Infographic Summary of the Autism Sex Difference, focusing on a Biological Buffer and Genetic Severity (IMAGE)
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Autism is diagnosed much more frequently in boys. 2. Experimental approach using CHD8 mutant mouse models with different severities. 3. Detail results for male and female mice under "Mild Genetic Change" and "Severe Genetic Change." Under mild conditions, male mice are affected, while female mice are protected by "female shield" and a temporary buffer, which compensates for the mutation. Under severe genetic changes, however, this protection is overwhelmed, the shield breaks, and female mice also become strongly affected. 4. Key future directions and implications: considering both biological sex and genetic severity in diagnosis and treatment; pursuing targeted research and treatments; and understanding the biological balance between risk and protection.
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Institute for Basic Science
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