London, Apr 5: Mutations in hundreds of genes involved in wiring
the brain may contribute to the development of autism spectrum
disorders (ASD), a new study has revealed. However, while there
is no simple explanation for ASD, the researchers from
Vanderbilt University Medical Center identified a few genes as
“genuine risk factors”, raising hopes that they will be able to
discover the underlying biological cause of these disorders.
Numerous other genes are also strongly implicated based on their
biological functions and roles in conditions related to ASD.
That knowledge could lead, in the future, to the ability to
determine one’s risk for developing autism and to new, more
effective and personalized ways to treat individuals with an
ASD, James Sutcliffe, senior author of the paper, said. Autism
is a spectrum of developmental disorders characterized by
impairments in communication and social interaction, and
patterns of repetitive, restricted and stereotyped behaviours.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease