GFAP and autism: Of note, in a preclinical model of autism it has been recently demonstrated that epigenetic dysregulation (i.e., hypomethylation) of key genes (brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene BDNF and glial fibrillary acidic protein GFAP gene) involved in the induced autistic-like behaviors in a neonatal isolation model, can be reversed by folic acid administration [156].