Small RNA-mediated gene regulation in neurodevelopmental disorders.

An expanding assortment of small, noncoding RNAs identified in the nervous system suggests a strong connection between their combinatorial regulatory potential and the complexity of the nervous system. Misregulation of these small regulatory RNAs could contribute to the abnormalities in brain development that are associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. Here we give an overview of the diversity and unexpected abundance of small RNAs, as well as specific examples that illustrate their functional significance in neurodevelopmental disorders. We also discuss an intriguing, albeit elusive area of study: the potential impact of newly discovered classes of small RNAs in the nervous system.