Transcriptomic Analysis of Autism Brain Reveals Convergent Molecular Pathology

ABSTRACT: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a common, highly heritable neuro-developmental condition characterized by marked genetic heterogeneity. Thus, a fundamental question is whether autism represents an etiologically heterogeneous disorder in which the myriad genetic or environmental risk factors perturb common underlying molecular pathways in the brain. Here, we demonstrate consistent differences in transcriptome organization between autistic and normal brain by gene co-expression network analysis. Remarkably, regional patterns of gene expression that typically distinguish frontal and temporal cortex are significantly attenuated in the ASD brain, suggesting abnormalities in cortical patterning. We further identify discrete modules of co-expressed genes associated with autism: a neuronal modul

ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens

SUBMITTER: Irina Voineagu 

PROVIDER: E-GEOD-28521 | biostudies-arrayexpress |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-arrayexpress