Gene Expression Profiling of Autism Candidate Genes during Human Brain Development
Author Information
Author(s): Mark N. Ziats, Owen M. Rennert
Primary Institution: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health
Hypothesis
Focusing gene interaction networks on ASD-implicated genes that are highly expressed in the developing brain may reveal core mechanisms obscured by genomic heterogeneity.
Conclusion
The study provides evidence that ASD-implicated genes converge on central immune signaling pathways.
Supporting Evidence
- Approximately 60% of non-syndromic ASD cases lack identifiable structural variation.
- Many ASD-implicated genes are not expressed in the developing human brain.
- Integrated gene-network analysis implicates immune signaling pathways as central to ASD.
Takeaway
Scientists studied genes related to autism in developing brains and found that many of these genes are linked to immune system signaling.
Methodology
The study used in silico analysis of gene expression profiles from ASD-implicated genes in the unaffected developing human brain.
Limitations
The study is limited by the complexity of ASD genetics and the challenge of identifying a common molecular pathology.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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