WIPI1 and neural tube defect: We further examined variants of the WIPI1 gene in a large NTD cohort, considering that WD repeat protein (encoded by WIPI1 gene) has been previously linked to the autophagy pathway, which has a protective function against the onset of neurodegeneration and may well be essential for normal neural tube closure (Fimia et al., 2007; Xu et al., 2013).