An exciting advance in the search for the cause of autism was recently announced. A French team of scientists has identified two mutated genes that appear to cause autism. Both genes are located on the X-chromosome, which makes sense, since autism is four times more prevalent in men than women. Since women have two X-chromosomes, they are less likely to be affected by a mutated gene on that chromosome. After all, a woman would have to acquire one mutated gene from her mother and another mutated gene from her father to be affected. This is rather unlikely. On the other hand, a man needs only inherit one mutated gene on the X-chromosome, and he will be affected by the gene.

What do these genes do? They tell the cell to produce proteins called "neuroligins," which appear on the junctions between nerve cells. These junctions are called "synapses," and they allow nerve cells to communicate with one another. Neuroligins are crucial for the proper function of a synapse. Thus, if a neuroligin is not made properly because the gene that codes for its production is mutated, it makes sense that the person affected by such a gene would have a neurological disorder.

This research is particularly exciting, as it seems to indicate that improperly formed neuroligins could be the key to the neurological problems associated with autism. If this is confirmed by further research, it could lead to a chemical treatment for the disease!

Anti-vaccination advocates have tried to convince the public that autism is caused by vaccines, despite the fact that several controlled studies have shown that autism rates are the same in both vaccinated and unvaccinated children. As those who are interested in learning the truth get closer to finding the real cause of autism, however, the hope for a treatment or possibly a cure grows.

For further information on this exciting autism advance, see:

http://www.pasteur.fr/actu/presse/press/03autism-E.htm

For further information on the studies that show there is no relationship between vaccinations and autism, see:

http://www.aafp.org/afp/20021201/2113.html

http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH?d=dmtICNNews&c=228770&p=~br,IHC|~st,333|~r,EMIHC000|~b,*|

Taylor B, Miller E, Farrington CP, et al. Autism and measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine: no epidemiological evidence for a causal association. Lancet 1999;353:2026-9.

Rodier, P. The early origins of autism. Sci Am. 2000 Feb;282(2):56-63.

DeStefano F and Chen R. Autism and measles, mumps and rubella vaccine: No epidemiological evidence for a causal association. J Pediatrics, 2000;136:125-126.

Peltola, H., et al. 1998. No evidence for measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine-associated inflammatory bowel disease or autism in a 14-year prosepctive study. Lancet 351(May 2):1327.

IMMUNIZATION SAFETY REVIEW, Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine and Autism, Kathleen Stratton, Alicia Gable, Padma Shetty, and, Marie McCormick, Editors , Immunization Safety Review Committee , INSTITUTE OF MEDICINE, NATIONAL ACADEMY PRESS, Washington, D.C.