Autism probably related to hundreds of genetic mutations, researchers say
Wednesday, June 8, 2011 - 14:00
in Biology & Nature
Autism disorders are genetically very complex, involving many potential changes in DNA that may produce different forms of autism, three new studies say. One researcher says the studies give the first insight into how many areas of the genome are likely to contribute to autism.Autism is not caused by one or two gene defects but probably by hundreds of different mutations, many of which arise spontaneously, according to research that examined the genetic underpinnings of the disorder in more than 1,000 families.