Polymorphisms in leucine-rich repeat genes are associated with autism spectrum disorder susceptibility in populations of European ancestry.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of highly heritable neurodevelopmental disorders which are characteristically comprised of impairments in social interaction, communication and restricted interests/behaviours. Several cell adhesion transmembrane leucine-rich repeat (LRR) proteins are highly expressed in the nervous system and are thought to be key regulators of its development. Here we present an association study analysing the roles of four promising candidate genes - LRRTM1 (2p), LRRTM3 (10q), LRRN1 (3p) and LRRN3 (7q) - in order to identify common genetic risk factors underlying ASDs.

Methods

In order to gain a better understanding of how the genetic variation within these four gene regions may influence susceptibility to ASDs, a family-based associ

SUBMITTER: Sousa I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2913944 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature