This is the blog for GW students taking Human Evolutionary Genetics. This site is for posting interesting tidbits on: the patterns and processes of human genetic variation;human origins and migration; molecular adaptations to environment, lifestyle and disease; ancient and forensic DNA analyses; and genealogical reconstructions.

GWHEG figure

GWHEG figure

Tuesday, April 3, 2018

ASD & ID Causing Mutations Correspond with Behavior and Cognition

A news publication in Scientific American describes an article from Nature Neuroscience that where researchers whole genome sequenced 5,205 samples from families with ASD to identify genes and specific mutations associated with ASD and ID. The study identified 61 candidate genes to be associated with ASD and/or ID, and 43 of the identified genes were already associated with ASD as candidate genes from previous research. The majority of the identified genes play roles in chromatin remodeling, RNA processing, or building connections between neurons, and this clustering of gene function makes the researchers more confident in the accuracy of their computational methodology. Specific mutations were found to cause differentiating test score for intelligence and cognitive function in ASD individuals. Therefore, the 61 genes are believed to influence behavior and cognition corresponding with specific their mutations.

See the news article here

See the scientific article here

- Evan Holmes

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