Identification of genetic loci underlying the phenotypic constructs of autism spectrum disorders.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To investigate the underlying phenotypic constructs in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and to identify genetic loci that are linked to these empirically derived factors.

Method

Exploratory factor analysis was applied to two datasets with 28 selected Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) algorithm items. The first dataset was from the Autism Genome Project (AGP) phase I (1,236 ASD subjects from 618 families); the second was from the AGP phase II (804 unrelated ASD subjects). Variables derived from the factor analysis were then used as quantitative traits in genome-wide variance components linkage analyses.

Results

Six factors, namely, joint attention, social interaction and communication, nonverbal communication, repetitive sensory-motor behavior, peer

SUBMITTER: Liu XQ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3593812 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature