Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Study Yields More Clues About Autism

Scientists find genes needed for learning stuck in the off position

By Harry Kimball, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 10, 2008 6:20 PM CDT

(Newser) – Scientists have found six new genes linked to autism, inching closer to a fuller understanding of the disorder and how to treat it, the AP reports. The genes in question are necessary for learning but are essentially stuck in the "off" position. The finding... Read full story »

COMMENTS

Read the comment policy

You need to Log in to Newser to comment. Don't have an account yet? Sign up now!

There are no comments

A snapshot of the day's best news stories.

View Larger Grid

All Today Yesterday Pick a Date

What's Popular Now on Facebook

Cops Shoot Naked Guy Eating Man's Face on Highway

Japanese Artist Serves Up Own Cooked Genitals

Associated Press (Source Grid »)

Or maybe (questionable) it's mercury
Associated Press

Autism and the mirror neuron, or lack thereof
Scientific American

Mindblindness, by an expert
University of California, Santa Barbara

Health

Middle East • autism • DNA • genetic defects • scientific study • neurons • synapse

More Newser Stories

Islanders' Blond Hair Is Genetic Quirk

It comes from a gene mutation, not Europeans

(NEWSER) - A peculiar pairing of dark skin and blond hair in the native population of the Solomon Islands is due to a unique gene and not, as previously thought, the intermingling of Europeans with the inhabitants, finds a new study. About 5 to 10% of the indigenous peoples on the islands have unusually light hair, and after analyzing DNA samples from 1,000 residents, researchers linked the hair color to a specific gene that is not found in Europeans, reports the Sydney Morning Herald . More»

Smoking While Pregnant May Raise Autism Risk

Study sees link with some forms of the disorder

(NEWSER) - If any expectant mom needed yet more evidence that smoking is a bad idea, here it is: Doing so during pregnancy raises the risk of having a child with Asperger's or another kind of autism, a new study suggests. Researchers analyzed data from about 630,000 kids born in the 1990s in 11 states. The link seems strongest with the less severe forms of autism on the spectrum disorder, reports LiveScience . More»

Autism Tied to Gene Mutations for First Time

'It's a turning point,' says one scientist

(NEWSER) - Big autism news: A number of gene mutations linked to the disease have been uncovered for the first time, announced a number of scientists in three papers published yesterday. The sobering detail: These particular mutations are super rare, and are responsible for only a very small number of autism cases. The encouraging detail: The discovery gives scientists a foothold from which they can start growing their knowledge of autism's biological roots. Though they've longed believed genetics are at play, there hasn't been agreement on how to proceed; this discovery changes that, reports the New York Times . More»

Protein Discovery Could Spur 'Gold Rush' for New Drugs

Identification of key brain proteins could aid treatment of conditions

(NEWSER) - Scientists are hailing a potential breakthrough in the treatment of 130 conditions following the identification of more than 1,400 crucial brain proteins. When faulty, these proteins have been found to contribute to conditions including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, autism, and learning disabilities, and their identification could accelerate the development of new drugs and better diagnostic tools. “There is a potential gold rush, a whole new frontier for drug discovery,” says one scientist. More»

Kids With Autism Don't Need Special Diet: Docs

Report calls for more research, brings relief to some parents

(NEWSER) - Children with autism are not particularly prone to digestive issues, and special diets have no effect on the condition, new research shows. Digestive problems do affect kids with autism, but a specific malady called “leaky gut” or “autistic enterocolitis,” says a report out today. The findings refute claims by some parents—Jenny McCarthy in particular—who credit special diets with mitigating the effects of or even "curing" autism. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Study Yields More Clues About Autism

Scientists find genes needed for learning stuck in the off position

Middle East • autism • DNA • genetic defects • scientific study • neurons • synapse

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Islanders' Blond Hair Is Genetic Quirk

It comes from a gene mutation, not Europeans

Smoking While Pregnant May Raise Autism Risk

Study sees link with some forms of the disorder

Autism Tied to Gene Mutations for First Time

'It's a turning point,' says one scientist

Protein Discovery Could Spur 'Gold Rush' for New Drugs

Identification of key brain proteins could aid treatment of conditions

Kids With Autism Don't Need Special Diet: Docs

Report calls for more research, brings relief to some parents

About Us

Site

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?