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Autistic brains' 'genes differ' | Autistic brains' 'genes differ' |
(about 21 hours later) | |
The brains of people with autism are chemically different to those without autism, according to researchers. | |
A study, published in the journal Nature, showed the unique characters of the frontal and temporal lobes had disappeared. | A study, published in the journal Nature, showed the unique characters of the frontal and temporal lobes had disappeared. |
Different genes should be active in each region, but autistic brains had the same pattern of gene expression. | Different genes should be active in each region, but autistic brains had the same pattern of gene expression. |
The National Autistic Society said the results could be important for future treatments. | The National Autistic Society said the results could be important for future treatments. |
Autism spectrum disorders, including Asperger's syndrome, are common and affect more than 500,000 people in the UK. | Autism spectrum disorders, including Asperger's syndrome, are common and affect more than 500,000 people in the UK. |
They are thought to be caused by a combination of genetics and the environment. | They are thought to be caused by a combination of genetics and the environment. |
Professor Daniel Geschwind, from the University of California, Los Angeles, said: "If you randomly pick 20 people with autism, the cause of each person's disease will be unique. | Professor Daniel Geschwind, from the University of California, Los Angeles, said: "If you randomly pick 20 people with autism, the cause of each person's disease will be unique. |
"Yet when we examined how genes and proteins interact in autistic people's brains, we saw well-defined shared patterns. This common thread could hold the key to pinpointing the disorder's origins." | "Yet when we examined how genes and proteins interact in autistic people's brains, we saw well-defined shared patterns. This common thread could hold the key to pinpointing the disorder's origins." |
Differences | Differences |
The scientists in the UK, US and Canada compared samples from 19 autistic brains and 17 without. | |
They noticed that 209 genes linked to the way brain cells work and talk to each other were working at a lower level in autistic brains while 235 genes linked to immune and inflammatory responses were expressed more strongly. | They noticed that 209 genes linked to the way brain cells work and talk to each other were working at a lower level in autistic brains while 235 genes linked to immune and inflammatory responses were expressed more strongly. |
The researchers said many of these genes had already been linked to the condition. | The researchers said many of these genes had already been linked to the condition. |
They also noted that there was no longer a difference in the genes expressed in the frontal and temporal lobes in the brain. | They also noted that there was no longer a difference in the genes expressed in the frontal and temporal lobes in the brain. |
Professor Daniel Geschwind said: "Instead, the frontal lobe closely resembles the temporal lobe." | Professor Daniel Geschwind said: "Instead, the frontal lobe closely resembles the temporal lobe." |
It is likely due to defective brain development, they argue. | It is likely due to defective brain development, they argue. |
Richard Mills, director of research at the National Autistic Society said: "We are beginning to better understand the differences between the brains of people with autism and those without. | Richard Mills, director of research at the National Autistic Society said: "We are beginning to better understand the differences between the brains of people with autism and those without. |
"If replicated these findings are important for the development of interventions which may reduce the more disabling effects of autism. | "If replicated these findings are important for the development of interventions which may reduce the more disabling effects of autism. |
"They also confirm the importance of research that can shed light on underlying mechanisms. It is critical that we continue our investment in high quality research consortia." | "They also confirm the importance of research that can shed light on underlying mechanisms. It is critical that we continue our investment in high quality research consortia." |