Various genetic and environmental factors have been suggested to cause autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). A variety of animal models of ASDs have been developed and used to investigate the mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of ASDs. These animal models have contributed to clarifying that abnormalities in neuronal morphology and neurotransmission are responsible for the onset of ASDs. In recent years, researchers have started to focus not only on neurons but also on glial cells, particularly microglia. This is because microglial malfunction is strongly associated with structural and functional abnormalities of neurons, as well as the inflammation that is commonly observed both in the brains of patients with ASDs and in animal models of ASDs. In this chapter, we first introduce a list of commonly available animal models of ASDs and describe the validity of each model from the viewpoint of behaviors and neuroanatomy. We next detail the malfunction of microglia that has been reported in animal models of ASDs and discuss the roles of microglia in ASD pathogenesis. We will further propose possible therapeutic strategies to tackle ASDs by controlling microglial functions.

已经提出了多种遗传和环境因素引起自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）。已经开发了多种ASD动物模型，并用于研究ASD发病机理的机制。这些动物模型有助于阐明神经元形态和神经传递异常是ASD发作的原因。近年来，研究人员不仅开始关注神经元，还关注神经胶质细胞，尤其是小胶质细胞。这是因为小胶质细胞功能异常与神经元的结构和功能异常以及在ASD患者的大脑和ASD动物模型中常见的炎症密切相关。在这一章当中，我们首先介绍一些常见的ASD动物模型，并从行为和神经解剖学角度描述每种模型的有效性。接下来，我们将详细介绍已经在ASD动物模型中报告的小胶质细胞的功能异常，并讨论小胶质细胞在ASD发病机理中的作用。我们将进一步提出可能的治疗策略，通过控制小胶质细胞功能来解决ASD。