Autism and genetics

Geneticist and member of CIFAR's Genetic Networks program Stephen Scherer has garnered worldwide media attention once again for his team's latest advances in understanding the genetic basis for autism spectrum disorders.

In a paper published this June in the prestigious journal Nature, Dr. Scherer and an international team of researchers revealed new findings that suggest that everyone with autism has different genetic risk factors. The team identified hundreds of such genes to be involved.

More than 500 news organizations, including the Globe and Mail, CNN and The Independent covered this story, as the team's discovery provides important information for both better treatments and early diagnoses.

Autism spectrum disorders are a group of conditions characterized by impairments in reciprocal social interaction and communication, and the presence of restricted and repetitive behaviours. Autism affects approximately 1 in 100 newborns worldwide.

This story relates to our research program: Genetic Networks