Researchers from Oxford University have discovered a common genetic link to the cause of autism.
The finding comes from an international team of scientists, including some from Oxford, who studied DNA from a total of over 12,000 volunteers.
A genetic cause for autism has long been suspected, but finding the genes responsible has proved difficult, until now.
This new research implicates genes involved in the connection and communication between nerve cells during brain development.
“This does seem to fit with what we know from brain scans,” said Tony Monaco, a researcher from Oxford University, who worked on the study.
“People with autism may show different or reduced connectivity between different parts of the brain.”
“Detailed analysis of the genes and how they affect brain development is likely to yield better strategies for diagnosing and treating children with autism,” commented Dr. Raynard Kington, director of the National Institute of Health.
