Scientists at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine have identified possible mechanisms and biomarkers associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
The study suggests that disruptions in a gene network involved in fetal brain development may be the main cause of autism. By analyzing blood gene expression of 302 young boys with and without ASD, the researchers discovered a disrupted gene network that can be affected by mutations in known ASD risk genes, possibly influencing the severity of later ASD symptoms.
Current methods of diagnosing ASD rely on identifying behavioral symptoms, but these findings could lead to early diagnosis and provide a solid basis for diagnoses. The study highlights the need for robust tests to identify and treat ASD early on, as well as the importance of replicating the results in larger studies and including females in future research on autism diagnosis.
Link to the original article can be found here.
Read about similar articles here.
