Posted on 12/30/2014 11:55:35 AM PST by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
U.S. scientists have identified a molecular network of genes known to contribute to autism spectrum disorders, and they say their finding may help uncover new genes linked to these conditions.
"The study of autism disorders is extremely challenging due to the large number of clinical mutations that occur in hundreds of different human genes associated with autism," study author Michael Snyder, genetics and personalized medicine professor at Stanford University, said in a news release. "We therefore wanted to see to what extent shared molecular pathways are perturbed by the diverse set of mutations linked to autism in the hope of distilling tractable information that would benefit future studies."
According to the news release, researchers used gene expression data and genome sequencing to study the whole set of interactions within a cell, and they identified a module comprised of 119 proteins linked to autism genes.
The sequencing of the genomes was present in 25 study participants who had been diagnosed with autism, which confirmed the involvement of the module in autism. The autism candidate genes in the module were also present in more than 500 diagnosed patients who were analyzed by exome sequencing.
Researchers also found that the corpus callosum and oligodendrocyte cells in the brain can contribute to autism. Oligodendrocytes are myelin-forming cells of the central nervous system, and the corpus callosum is a huge band of myelinated fibers. Myelin, which is comprised of proteins and phospholipids, forms a sheath around nerve fibers and increases the speed at which impulses are conducted.
"In the future, we need to study how the interplay between different types of brain cells or different regions of the brain contribute to this disease,” study author Jingjing Li, postdoctoral fellow at the Stanford Center for Genomics and Personalized Medicine, said in the news release.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
PING!
Bump. Thanks for posting.
Mike Savage fans saddened...
No kidding.
Our son is going through ASD testing. We’ve always known he was a little different, and smart as a whip too. Although we send him to a private school it is state law that the local public school completes the testing process. It’s been a nightmare, especially since I work for the public school. Luckily my husband and I have the resources to go through private testing as well. The public school is not happy about that. Anyway, he’s our blessing! We jokingly call him Sheldon Cooper, as that is who he acts like.
Yeah, I remember that dust-up. I stopped listening to him for a long time (years) after I read about him making that snarky comment.
Researchers also found that the corpus callosum and oligodendrocyte cells in the brain can contribute to autism. Oligodendrocytes are myelin-forming cells of the central nervous system, and the corpus callosum is a huge band of myelinated fibers. Myelin, which is comprised of proteins and phospholipids, forms a sheath around nerve fibers and increases the speed at which impulses are conducted.
Interesting
For your sake and his, I hope he only acts a little bit like Sheldon.
Lol!
It’s a broad spectrum. It would be interesting if something like this were to be a cause in that broad spectrum. We have a four-year old with it. They call him high-functioning. He doesn’t talk yet, however. You could tell something was different about him, but he has the most pleasant personality for that age.
Horribly synopsis from Fox News. Too watered down.
This is better:
Note that environment is a huge factor in autism as the study demonstrates. Genetics is but one path to discovering the causes of autism.
Sheldon Cooper — ha ha! I have an adopted grandchild who is very much like that, and has been diagnosed with ASD. Also incredibly smart, but has lots of particular likes and dislikes, and we try to sort out the genuine anxieties from the normally childish manipulations. Doing well in a special school.
Also, contrary to one of the links posted above claiming that autistic children are natural atheists, this child at least appreciates the Bible stories and was moved to tears last Easter.
Our son so far doesn’t have Sheldon’s very particular qualities lol! He is incredibly intelligent, and likewise we are always trying to figure out what is childlike and what is part of his neurological makeup. I will admit that I’ve cried myself to sleep over punishing him for something that we’ve later learned is not what he can control. I’m not a perfect mom ;) Again, I’m blessed that God gave him to me. I have a teacher in my department that’s always commenting that the cure to ASD is lack of corporal punishment. I thank God that He gave my son to me and not her.
What would you think of an ASD ping list? I’m considering it.
Well, with 1 in 68 children having ASD and 1 in 42 boys having ASD ... you know that means quite a few Freepes are affected. It appears to be a good idea.
Your wording is a little confusing to me -- I take it you mean that your colleague thinks ASD kids should be disciplined with spanking or other firm measures.
I am of two minds about this. Give me a couple of minutes and I will send you a freepmail.
She thinks ASD can be “cured” with a paddle. Never mind that my son comes up with amazing ideas when he’s permitted to chew on a straw and hop around his space. The cure for cancer means nothing to this woman unless it’s found in a disciplined fashion.
She’s one of those people that knows best about everything, until the topic affects her or her family. Case in point: I made the comment that we don’t let our kids watch modern cartoons because we don’t like the messages. She went on and on about “research” and “studies” that show how cartoons are an important part of how children learn in modern time. A couple of years later her daughter turned off cartoons for the same reason and now modern cartoons are evil in her eyes. If any of her grandchildren are ever diagnosed with ASD, she will change her toon in an instant.
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