Study suggests olfactory system linked to autism
Taipei Times
16th April 2026
Study suggests olfactory system linked to autism
By Jonathan Chin / Staff writer
Taiwanese scientists have linked abnormalities in the olfactory region of mouse brains with behaviors connected to autism spectrum disorder, using a novel artificial intelligence (AI)-based brain mapping technology.
Academic Sinica Institute of Molecular Biology distinguished research fellow Hsueh Yi-Ping (薛一蘋) and Institute of Information Science associate research fellow Wang Chien-yao (王建堯) collaborated in the study, the National Science and Technology Council said in a statement yesterday.
Wang’s team developed a new brain mapping system to image the highly complex “whole-of-brain” neural circuits in mice, which took seven years to complete, the council said.
Hsueh and her team assisted in developing the AI tool by providing raw data based on whole-brain fluorescence imaging, it said.
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