French scientists have identified genetic mutations in a small number of children with autism which could provide insight into the biological basis of the disorder.
They sequenced a gene called SHANK3 in more than 200 people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), which includes autism, and found mutations in the gene in members of three families.
ASD covers a range of problems that affect communication, social interaction, verbal skills and behavior.
"These mutations concern only a small number of individuals, but they shed light on one gene ... that is involved in autism spectrum disorders," Thomas Bourgeron, of the Pasteur Institute in Paris, said in a report in the journal Nature Genetics.
ASD, which affect six out of 1,000 children, range from mild to severe forms. The disorders are caused by chromosomal rearrangements in 3 to 6 percent of cases.
In people with cognitive deficits and with autistic behavior a part of their chromosome 22 is often affected. That region contains the SHANK3 gene.
more at the link:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20061217/hl_nm/france_autism_dc
one gene less appears to signal autism, one gene more appears to signal aspergers.
i would like to know how widespread this is, how many false positives.
how can therapies affect this?
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