Mutated Gene Sequence Linked to Autism

Researchers believe they have uncovered some of the genetic secrets that may cause autism. A string of genetic abnormalities has been discovered among those already diagnosed with the disorder. Scientists believe a certain string of DNA is missing entirely or repeated in the genetic sequence, causing the disorder. The cause of autism has been speculated on for years. Parents of autistic children along with members of the medical community have been looking for answers for a long time, and they may finally have them.

Stephen Scherer of the McLaughlin Center and University of Toronto was the lead author of the study. The research for the study involved almost 1,000 people who were diagnosed with some form of autism according to the autism spectrum. 1,300 non-autistic participants were used as the control group. The group with autism was 19 percent more likely to have a copy number variation(CNV) in their genetic sequence than the control group. The CNVs were more prevalent in the cells that are directly linked with brain function. Approximately, 6 percent of those individuals had new variances in comparison to the rest who inherited the CNVs.  Scherer reveals that each family has its own unique genetic form of autism.

With the identification of more genes involved with autism, researchers have a better starting point when it comes to developing treatment methods. Certain medications may already be available that could effectively treat some aspects of autism.

The study has been published in the June 10th edition of Nature.