Signaling through the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) has been implicated in ASD5, 165 and mutations of the mTOR upstream regulatory molecule phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN)166 and tuberous sclerosis complex 1 and 2 (TSC 1/2)167 have been associated with higher risk of ASD.167 We recently showed that activation of NTR3 induced activation of human cultured microglia, which was regulated by mTOR.164 PTEN and mTOR are also involved in MC activation and proliferation.168. Here, PTEN is linked to atrial septal defect 5.