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Spectrum: Autism Research News

Tag: whole-exome sequencing

September 2019

Genetic registry reaps bounty of new autism genes

by  /  30 September 2019

An analysis of genetic sequences from nearly 500 people with autism and their relatives has linked 13 new genes to the condition. It has also uncovered a genetic cause for autism in about 10 percent of the autistic participants.

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Older father carries son in reed baseball cap

Mutations in sperm may accrue too slowly to increase autism risk

by  /  5 September 2019

A new analysis challenges the idea that mutations in the sperm of older fathers lead to higher rates of autism among their children.

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May 2019
Artists interpretation of machine learning and genes

Mutations between genes, long overlooked, may be key in autism

by  /  27 May 2019

Spontaneous mutations that occur between genes may be as important in autism as those within genes.

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Computational Modeling of BRSK2 Missense Variants

Matchmaking site for genes leads scientists to autism candidate

by  /  6 May 2019

A website called GeneMatcher has helped researchers identify a new gene for intellectual disability, developmental delay and autism.

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A mother taking her two children to school

Genetic background may alter effect of autism mutations

by  /  4 May 2019

A person’s genetic makeup can ease or worsen the effect of mutations linked to autism.

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Image of DNA made up of hundreds of tiny images in a mosaic effect.

New algorithm identifies rare mutations in single neurons

by  /  3 May 2019

A new computational method sifts true mutations from spurious ones in a single cell’s genome.

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A DNA helix showing common and rare variants

The multiple hits theory of autism, explained

by  /  1 May 2019

Researchers are studying how a combination of genetic ‘hits’ may contribute to autism’s diversity.

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April 2019
Hands on background of microarray and other genetic information

Genetic testing for autism, explained

by  /  10 April 2019

No genetic test can say whether a person has autism, but it may point to a cause for the condition or for any related complications.

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children playing at a genetic family group meeting

How families are driving the study of autism genes

by  /  10 April 2019

Parents of children with rare autism-linked mutations are banding together for support and to join forces with scientists, accelerating the pace of research.

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Illustration of a human fetus in a screening test

Prenatal sequencing for some autism genes may soon be available

by  /  10 April 2019

Two new studies point to the possibility of detecting autism mutations before birth — along with all the ethical and logistical problems that may bring.

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