A new study may have uncovered more evidence to suggest autism may be caused due to genetic factors. The team identified 69 genes that increase the risk of autism spectrum disorder by using genome sequencing.
The study was conducted by scientists from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Stanford University, and the California Institute of Technology. “That’s a pretty significant finding, and for anyone who has one of those particular genes it’s going to be even more significant,” Dr Daniel Geschwind, senior author of the study and a professor of human genetics, neurology, and psychiatry at UCLA, told a news portal. Adding, “These genetic mutations you should think of as causes of autism. They are contributing to the likelihood of that child having autism. We anticipate that there might be up to 1,000 genes that might be mutated in autism."
For the study, the team made note of DNA of 2,300 people from families who had children with autism. Researchers hope the new findings could lead to the development of better treatment options for the condition. “By identifying these different forms of autism, they provide a true and clear road to developing a targeted therapy. You know now what the mutation is, what gene it affects — you can figure out what cells that gene is expressed in and when, you can figure out how that mutation then leads to abnormalities in development, and you can work out how to treat that specifically,” Geschwind told a news portal.
Researchers believe autism is a result of a combination of various factors like genes and environment. "We have a pretty good idea that around 70 to 80 per cent of the risk for autism is inherited or other genetic factors. It leaves some room for environmental effects and there are definitely known environmental causes of autism as well,” Geschwind told a news portal.
Spotting the symptoms of the condition can be extremely beneficial.“There is strong evidence suggesting that early intervention leads to improved outcomes for many children with autism. If we are able to perform genetic screens to identify if children are at higher risk, this would allow us to intervene immediately rather than wait until features begin to show up later in childhood,” Megan Dennis, PhD, an assistant professor in the department of biochemistry and molecular medicine at the University of California Davis, told a news portal.
Here are some of the signs to look for in young children:
- Doesn't smile
- Tries to avoid eye contact
-Does not respond to name
- Prefers to be along
- Develops language late
- Has a strong reaction to smell, light, and sound
Geschwind says the goal at the end of the day is to improve the outcomes for people who live with the disorder. “Individual differences should be hugely celebrated and to the extent that somebody with autism is… happy with their functioning… and everything is going well for them as far as they’re concerned, that’s great and that’s the last sort of person whose life you would want to interfere with,” Geschwind told a news portal. Adding, “Our whole idea is not to eliminate autism but to reduce human suffering.”
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