AofA Science Summary: Autism spectrum disorders and autisticlike traits: similar etiology in the extreme end and the normal variation.

Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2012 Jan;69(1):46-52.

Autism spectrum disorders and autisticlike traits: similar etiology in the extreme end and the normal variation.

Lundström S, Chang Z, Råstam M, Gillberg C, Larsson H, Anckarsäter H, Lichtenstein P.

Source

Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lillhagsparken 3, 422 50 Hisings Backa, Sweden. sebastian.lundstrom@neuro.gu.se.

Abstract

CONTEXT:

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) have been suggested to represent the extreme end of a normal distribution of autisticlike traits (ALTs). However, the evidence of this notion is inconclusive.

OBJECTIVE:

To study whether there are similar genetic and/or environmental etiologies behind ASDs and ALTs.

DESIGN:

A nationwide twin study.

PARTICIPANTS:

Consenting parents of all Swedish twins aged 9 and 12 years, born between July 1, 1992, and December 31, 2001 (n = 19 208), were interviewed by telephone to screen for child psychiatric conditions, including ASDs.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:

Two validated cutoffs for ASDs, 2 cutoffs encompassing the normal variation, and 1 continuous measure of ALTs were used with DeFries-Fulker extreme-end analyses and standard twin study methods.

RESULTS:

We discerned a strong correlation between the 4 cutoffs and the full variation of ALTs. The correlation was primarily affected by genes. We also found that the heritability for the 4 cutoffs was similar.

CONCLUSION:

We demonstrate an etiological similarity between ASDs and ALTs in the normal variation and, with results from previous studies, our data suggest that ASDs and ALTs are etiologically linked.

Comments

[Visitor]

This entry is not quite current, but is the last I found that allows my posting to be on topic as it is gene related. The content of the heading and information did not elicit much response. This may prove more interesting to folks here.

Having been one of the few I know about to delve into the gene side of Autism in relation to Autism with acceptance of some genetic {not just spigenetic} role in ASD's at AoA I will say I find the released report below to name factors genetically that I have tracked to in my search along with PTEN and other lesser involved ones, at least possibly in some cases. I have a couple of major problems with their reasoning though, yet find there is a gene relationship that is credible in their study.

I will refrain from my own critique of the study as to not influence your own take and invite others to comment as they wish to see if my problems with their reasonings are common to others. I imagine some here may dismiss this outright.

Genetic and Functional Analyses of SHANK2 Mutations Suggest a Multiple Hit Model of Autism Spectrum Disorders

http://www.plosgenetics.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pgen.1002521

[Benedetta]

Any study that just calls up parents and ask a bunch of questions is a study that (I just lack the words).

[Jeannette Bishop]

"The correlation was primarily affected by genes." What genes would these correlation affecting genes be?