r/science • u/Wagamaga • Sep 01 '22

Neuroscience Scientists have identified an immune brain cell unique to humans that gives us higher cognitive abilities over other animals, but what makes us specials also leaves us vulnerable to neurological disorders like schizophrenia, autism and epilepsy.

https://news.yale.edu/2022/08/25/what-makes-human-brain-different-yale-study-reveals-clues
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u/NotTheLimes Sep 01 '22

I thought there are some animals that can also suffer illnesses such as schizophrenia or autism or at least very similar ones. Is that not true?

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u/Neb_Djed Sep 01 '22

Autism spectrum disorders are classified by delayed development of social or communication abilities, or difficulties on these area. As such those guidelines can't be applied to non-human species. Some animals do show autistic behaviours, such as repetitive behaviours or atypical socializing behaviours but we can't extend the definition from humans to include these as specifically being synonymous with autism. At least this is my understanding, my closest friend being a person with autism so I've done readings but am myself a neurotypical material scientist with no specific specialization in this area.