Age-dependent brain gene expression and copy number anomalies in autism suggest distinct pathological processes at young versus mature ages.

ABSTRACT: Autism is a highly heritable neurodevelopmental disorder, yet the genetic underpinnings of the disorder are largely unknown. Aberrant brain overgrowth is a well-replicated observation in the autism literature; but association, linkage, and expression studies have not identified genetic factors that explain this trajectory. Few studies have had sufficient statistical power to investigate whole-genome gene expression and genotypic variation in the autistic brain, especially in regions that display the greatest growth abnormality. Previous functional genomic studies have identified possible alterations in transcript levels of genes related to neurodevelopment and immune function. Thus, there is a need for genetic studies involving key brain regions to replicate these findings and solidify the

SUBMITTER: Chow ML 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3310790 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature