Thursday, June 9, 2011

New Clues to Genetic Root of Autism

Random changes in genes, rather than changes handed down from parents, may be responsible for some cases of autism, say scientists who report in three new papers a major breakthrough in understanding where those genetic changes may lie.
The findings suggest that autism is a genetically complex disorder, involving perhaps hundreds of spontaneous changes in genes. The discoveries should help researchers gain a better understanding of the biology of the disorder and find targets for better treatments. It's latest in a steady stream of good news from autism researchers recently, who have reported on innovative ways to diagnose the disorder earlier and on new genes that contribute to it.

No comments:

Post a Comment