Altered expression of KCNQ1OT1 and ZEB1-AS1 lncRNAs in autism spectrum disorder: A case-control study

This case-control study examined long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) expression in peripheral blood from 30 ASD patients and 41 matched controls, finding significant upregulation of ZEB1-AS1 (~20-fold) and downregulation of KCNQ1OT1 (~30-fold). The dysregulated lncRNAs showed strong diagnostic potential (AUC 0.88–0.91) and may contribute to ASD pathogenesis through regulation of neural development pathways.