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takyon [soylentnews.org] writes:

https://www.autismspeaks.org/science/science-news/world%E2%80%99s-largest-autism-genome-database-shines-new-light-many-%E2%80%98autisms%E2%80%99 [autismspeaks.org]

The newest study out of the Autism Speaks MSSNG project – the world's largest autism genome sequencing program – identified an additional 18 gene variations that appear to increase the risk of autism. The new report appears this week in the journal Nature Neuroscience. It involved the analysis of 5,205 whole genomes from families affected by autism – making it the largest whole genome study of autism to date.

[...] To date, research using the MSSNG genomic database has identified 61 genetic variations that affect autism risk. The research has associated several of these with additional medical conditions that often accompany autism. The goal, Dr. Pletcher says, "is to advance personalized treatments for autism by deepening our understanding of the condition's many subtypes." The findings also illustrate how whole genome sequencing can guide medical care today. For example, at least two of the autism-associated gene changes described in the new paper are also associated with seizures. Another has been linked to increased risk for cardiac defects, and yet another with adult diabetes. These findings illustrate how whole genome sequencing for autism can provide additional medical guidance to individuals, families and their physicians, the investigators say.

Found at ScienceDaily [sciencedaily.com].

Whole genome sequencing resource identifies 18 new candidate genes for autism spectrum disorder [nature.com] (DOI: 10.1038/nn.4524) (DX [doi.org])

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