Autism often associated with multiple new mutations

(University of Washington Health Sciences/UW Medicine) Most autism cases are in families with no previous history of the disorder. New mutations, that occur in offspring but not in their parents, might play a role. These mutations have now been found, not just in protein-coding genome areas, but also in regulatory regions. Many are in areas that influence gene activity in the brain's striatum, which coordinates motivation, planning and other aspects of cognition.
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: news