Genetic research from John Hopkins and the University of Alabama Birmingham are providing a road map of inflammation linked to autism thanks to a fleet of tissue samples from 72 autistic and healthy brains. Analyses of these tissues showed microglial cells in perpetual hyperdrive, which translates into neuro-inflammation.

Dan E. Arking, PhD, associated professor at the McKusick-Nathans Institute for Genetic Medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine said it's too early to tell for certain, due to limited data. It is probably not the direct cause of autism, but there is a correlation, said Arking in this Fox News report.