Large-Scale Genetics Study Sheds Light on Developmental Origins of Autism

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental disorder that encompasses a range of symptoms. Scientific evidence suggests that there are likely many factors that contribute to the disorder – certain genetic variations have been associated with ASD, but the way these variations shape the development and function of the brain remains unclear. Groundbreaking NIMH-funded research is helping to unravel this neurodevelopmental knot by examining the human exome.