After transfection with mimics, the mRNA levels of the autism risk genes (i.e. ARID1B, SHANK3, SYNGAP1) and synaptic genes (i.e. NRXN2, DLGAP4, DLG4, NLGN2) were found to be downregulated by 2-4 fold in WT and Mut miR-873 compared to cel-miR-293b control. This evidence concerns the gene NRXN2 and autism.