A new study shows how complex it is to understand autism from a genetic point of view.
Researchers sequenced the genomes of 85 families with two children who are both affected with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). They found that the majority (around 70%) of affected siblings did not share common mutations. Greater than 100 susceptibility genes have previously been associated with ASD suggesting the genetic causes of the disorder are diverse.
In terms of genetic testing, the authors conclude that given the substantial genetic diversity between and within families, each ASD patient should be assessed individually to identify any genetic risk variants. It also raises a caution flag for journalists working on stories linking autism to genomics.
Original research paper published in Nature Medicine on January 26, 2015.
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