Simons Foundation Initiative Includes World’s Largest Study on Autism and Genes
Scientists funded by the Simons Foundation Research Initiative on Thursday announced the launch of an online research initiative that aims to gather DNA and other information from 50,000 people with autism and their family members.
Although the cause of the social communication disorder is unknown and believed to be a mix of environmental and genetic factors, scientists have identified some 50 to 70 genes that may play a role in the condition. Some estimate that a total of 350 or more could be involved.
The long-term study involves researchers from more than 21 medical institutions, including Boston Children’s Hospital, the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, the Kennedy Krieger Institute, and Weill Cornell Medicine...