Common genetic variants, acting additively, are a major source of risk for autism.

ABSTRACT:

Unlabelled

Background

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are early onset neurodevelopmental syndromes typified by impairments in reciprocal social interaction and communication, accompanied by restricted and repetitive behaviors. While rare and especially de novo genetic variation are known to affect liability, whether common genetic polymorphism plays a substantial role is an open question and the relative contribution of genes and environment is contentious. It is probable that the relative contributions of rare and common variation, as well as environment, differs between ASD families having only a single affected individual (simplex) versus multiplex families who have two or more affected individuals.

Methods

By using quantitative genetics techniques and the contras

SUBMITTER: Klei L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3579743 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature