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GENES ‘KEY ROLE’ IN AUTISM
“Genes have key role in autism,” reports the BBC, as scientists
believe that they have found tiny genetic changes that have an
impact on the likelihood of developing autism.
“The puzzle is slowly being pieced together, and the
science of autism is accelerating in promising ways”
The changes that have been identified appear to influence genes
which help form and maintain connections between brain cells and
together seem to be involved in up to 15% of autism cases. The
lead researcher of the US National Institutes of Health funded
project, Dr Hakon Hakonarson, believes that there are many genes
involved in causing autism, along with other factors: “In most cases
it’s likely that each gene contributes a small amount of risk, and
interacts with other genes and environmental factors to trigger the
onset.” These findings will offer further understanding of the
development of autism and other related conditions such as
Apserger’s Syndrome which affect at least 1 in 100 UK children,
as reported by Fiona Macrae in the Daily Mail.
Professor Simon Baron-Cohen, an autism expert at Cambridge
University said: “The puzzle is slowly being pieced together, and
the science of autism is accelerating in promising ways.”
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