Asperger Ally

World’s largest DNA scan reveals rare variants that disrupt gene activity in autistic children

10th June, 2010 - Posted by admin -

The largest DNA scan for familial autism found rare genetic changes occurring nearly 20 percent more in autistic children than healthy children. Not always found in autistic children’s parents, these variants suggest that tiny genetic errors occur during formation of the parents’ eggs and sperm, which are copied during creation of the child’s DNA. The findings may reveal clues to where genes go awry and increase autism risk, offering hope for common treatments.