Autism, its causes

Autism

In a study of 100 families, researchers had identified at least six new genes
that appear to underlie the disorder!

Autism is not just a single disease but can be caused by a range of genetic and
environmental factors. Autism appears to be caused by the combination of faulty
DNA and something in the physical or social environment of an affected child
after birth. [1]The genetic cause is known for only about 15 percent of autism
cases. [2] The mutations that cause fragile X syndrome and Rhett's syndrome
result in autism. But unlike diseases such as cystic fibrosis, the vast majority of
autism cases can't be traced to a single mutation. Instead, a growing number of
different genes have been linked to a growing percentage of autism cases. [3]

Autism spectrum disorders include a range of poorly understood brain
conditions, from the mild Asperger's syndrome to more severe autism
characterized by poor social interaction, impaired communication and
repetitious behaviors. [2]

Autism symptoms emerge at an age when the developing brain is refining the
connections between neurons in response to a child's experience. [1]

Whether or not certain important genes turn on is thus dependent on
experience-triggered neural activity. Disruption of this refinement process may
be a common mechanism of autism-associated mutations. [1]

Many of the mutations did not result in missing or damaged genes, but simply
turned them off. This means that we would not need to replace the gene, if we
could only figure out how to reactivate it, perhaps with medications.[1]

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

[1] Autism gene search turns up hope for treatmentReuters Thu Jul 10, 2008
2:48pm EDT[2] LAURAN NEERGAARD Genes from Middle East families yield
autism clues Associated Press Jul 10 2008 [3] Autism Cause: Brain
Development Genes? Genes Missing in Autism Needed for Learning-Triggered
Brain Growth WebMD Health News July 10, 2008

Discuss with your doctor before taking any alternative medicine. This article is for
reference only, it is not a medical advice. All rights reserved. Do not copy this article to
other website or blog.