Molecular Autism Research in Africa: Emerging Themes and Prevailing Disparities

Abstract African populations are consistently underrepresented in molecular research on autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Yet, Africa’s genetic diversity could reveal novel mechanisms associated with ASD etiology. We review the molecular ASD research from Africa between 2016–2022, highlighting region-specific limitations, opportunities, and areas of progress. We emphasize a need to advance null-hypothesis based molecular studies in Africa, particularly in critically understudied Sub-Saharan African (SSA) populations. Using South Africa as a case study, we show that this geographical disparity is not solely attributable to sociocultural barriers nor to an absence of molecular research infrastructure. We emphasize the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration within SSA and internationally to harness existing infrastructure for the expansion of molecular ASD research in Africa.