{
  "abstract": "Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complicated neurodevelopmental condition that currently lacks a targeted therapy. Although stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) represent a potential therapeutic approach for neurological disorders, their efficacy in ASD remains unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of stem cell-derived EVs on autistic-like behaviors in animal models of ASD and to explore the underlying mechanisms.\n\nMethods: Relevant studies published up to April 20, 2026 were searched across five databases. Data were pooled using Review Manager 5.4. Outcome measures included behavioral tests and inflammatory cytokine levels.\n\nResults: Out of 1,165 initially retrieved articles, five animal studies met the inclusion criteria. Pooled analyses demonstrated that EV treatment improved autistic-like behaviors in the self-grooming test, three-chamber social interaction test, and marble burying test, and decreased levels of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-1β (all P < 0.05). No notable enhancements were observed for the open field test, Morris Water Maze, TNF-α or IL-10 (all P > 0.05).\n\nConclusion: Stem cell-derived EV therapy may improve repetitive behaviors and social deficits in ASD animal models, with observed associations with reduced IL-6 and IL-1β levels. These preclinical findings suggest promising translational potential of EV-based therapy for ASD.\n\nSystematic Review Registration: https://osf.io/c78xm, identifier 10.17605/OSF.IO/C78XM.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Department of Pediatrics, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China"
  ],
  "article_type": "systematic review",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 4,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Zhen Zheng"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Manfen Ji"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Yayong Liang"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Sinian Pan"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/dm6ed7qhb7fwp.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1956214",
  "fulltext_url": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13696452/",
  "id": "dm6ed7qhb7fwp",
  "issns": [
    "1664-0640"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1956214",
  "language": "en",
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "heading",
      "Systematic Review"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "1312|Extracellular vesicles in disease"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7220675485",
  "pdf_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13696452?pdf=render",
  "pmcid": "PMC13696452",
  "pmid": "42935968",
  "published": "2026-10-12",
  "publisher": "Frontiers Media SA",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/dm6ed7qhb7fwp.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:17:48Z",
      "native_id": "PMC13696452",
      "source": "pmc",
      "url": "https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1956214"
    },
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:20:18Z",
      "native_id": "10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1956214",
      "source": "crossref",
      "url": "https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1956214/full"
    },
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:22:24Z",
      "native_id": "MED:42935968",
      "source": "europepmc",
      "url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42935968"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biochemistry",
      "origin": "openalex:1312|Extracellular vesicles in disease",
      "subfield": "molecular-biology"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Efficacy of stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles in animal models of autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis",
  "title_text": "Efficacy of stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles in animal models of autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:33:47Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/dm6ed7qhb7fwp",
  "venue": "Frontiers in Psychiatry",
  "versions": []
}