Recently, over one-hundred genes
have been identifies as directly related to Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Researchers are now confident that they are one their way to finding
one-thousand more soon. Autism spectrum disorder includes a wide range of mental,
social, and behavioral impairments, all differing in severity. Up until these
genes were discovered, scientist only knew of a handful of genes linked to this
disorders, this new discovery will help open the door to new findings and
possibly a prevention method.
The genes being discovered are
shedding a light on the biological processes involved in Autism as well as the genes
that are affected. There are a vast number of genes that create a very high
Autism risk when damaged. Discovering environmental and genetic causes of this
disease has been difficult for researchers due to the large amount of
variations of the disease. Also, Autism does not have one because it is a
combination of causes.
Researcher expect the small changes
to several genes is one of the causing factors of Autism. Some of these gene abnormalities
are expected to be inherited while others are expected to be environmental factors.
This research is being done with exome sequencing to locate the genes related
to Autism Spectrum Disorder and decode DNA sequences. More than five percent
of studied patients have had new genetic mutations suspected to be linked to
this disorder. Genes contributing to Autism risk will be investigated much further
in the future and new discoveries are expected to be made. This research could
help solve this scientific puzzle.
Original Article: http://health.usnews.com/health-news/articles/2014/10/29/discovery-of-100-plus-genes-tied-to-autism-may-improve-treatments
Related Article: http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2014/10/29/359818102/scientists-implicate-more-than-100-genes-in-causing-autism
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