STAT3 and autism: STAT3 pathway has been shown to promote neurite outgrowth and neuronal migration by inhibiting apoptosis.39 Expression studies have shown upregulation of miRNAs such as miR155, miR17, miR20a targeting STAT3 in superior temporal gyrus40 and miR20b in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) post-mortem samples from patients with schizophrenia.41 STAT3 was found to be one of TFs enriched in autism, X-linked intellectual disorder, ADHD and schizophrenia (AXAS) PPI network.