Editorial: Autism spectrum disorders and metal dyshomeostasis

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a multifaceted neurodevelopmental disorder with a complex etiology that appears to be a mixture of underlying environmental and genetic risk factors. Among the environmental risk factors is perinatal metal dyshomeostasis. It is now evident that deficiency or dyshomeostasis of essential metal ions such as iron, zinc, and copper (Fe, Zn, and Cu) will affect the neurodevelopmental process that may not be corrected even after the repletion of these metal ions. In addition, other essential trace metals, such as manganese and molybdenum (Mn and Mo) and trace elements such as selenium (Se) ions, also play a critical role in neurodevelopment. Despite growing research on this subject, the key molecular and cellular mechanisms and the identification of metallome biomarkers remain to be elucidated. Consequently, research addressing the impact of Zn, Cu, Se, and Fe deficiencies in the ASD population will help to unravel ASD pathophysiology, deepen our knowledge of environmental co-factors, and serve as means of developing novel treatments or disease-modifying strategies. This is a rapidly emerging field of neuroscience research that is highlighted in the current Research Topic that is dedicated to understanding the impact of metal dyshomeostasis in ASD.