Autism Research News 2017: Study Finds 18 New Genes Associated With Neurodevelopmental Disorder
The latest research on autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has discovered 18 new genes that are associated with the neurodevelopmental condition.
In the study recently published by Nature Neuroscience, researchers from the Autism Speaks MSSNG Project conducted whole-genome sequencing of families that have been affected by ASD. This involved analyzing 5,205 samples in order to determine particular genes that increase the risk for autism.
"It's noteworthy that we're still finding new autism genes, let alone 18 of them, after a decade of intense focus. With each new gene discovery, we're able to explain more cases of autism, each with its own set of behavioral effects and many with associated medical concerns," said co-author Mathew Pletcher, Ph.D., vice president for genomic discovery at Autism Speaks.
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The research team's name, MSSNG, which is pronounced as "missing," signifies that there is still a lot left to discover when it comes to autism. As such, the organization aims to deliver crucial information that will contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the condition.
This particular study sheds light on the role of one's genetics in developing autism, which, in turn, also cause unique changes in the DNA of each person with autism. The latest findings dispel the notion that there is just one type of autism and it further supports the notion that the condition does indeed exist in a spectrum.
To date, Autism Speaks MSSNG Project has identified 61 genetic variations that are associated with autism and about 80 percent have been found to affect the biological pathways in the brain.
According to the researchers, this study illustrates the role that genome sequencing could play in proving medical guidance to individuals with the condition as well as their families and physicians. Given that people have different genes, they may have different reactions to the same medicine and it may exacerbate certain conditions such as seizures, cardiac defects and diabetes for some.
As such, understanding one's genes could pave the way for more personalized treatments, which is very important considering the discovery that ASD comes in many subtypes.
In its goal to further advance autism research, the organization will upload all of the fully sequenced genomes on Google Cloud so that other researchers will be able to access the data free of charge.
