Two new studies published in the journal Nature explore the genetic sources of autism.  One study looks at the synaptic, transcriptional, and chromatin genes that are disrupted in individuals with autism.  The other study looks at how unique coding mutations contribute to the presence of autism spectrum disorder.

Taken together, BBC News points out that there are 33 genes now definitively linked to autism.  This is a four-fold increase from the nine genes previously identified.  More than that, EurekAlert explains that there could be up to 1,000 genes that can contribute to autism.  The unique coding mutations found in the second study mean that small variations beyond those in the now 33 known genes could lead to autism.

With such information, some contend that families will try to get their entire genomes sequenced to understand their risk of having a child with autism.  Time Magazine argues that this expansive information will be more likely used to help understand how autism develops and create potential treatments to combat it.  One of the contributing researchers echoes this sentiment, noting that the breakthrough is using this research to transform the understanding of the biological mechanisms of autism.

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, autism spectrum disorder is a range of complex neurodevelopment disorders.  These disorders share common characteristics, including social impairments, communication difficulties, and restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped patterns of behavior.  Experts estimate that, by age 8, one in 88 children will have a diagnosed disorder on the autism spectrum.  Males are four times more likely than females to have autism.  The most common complication is the development of epilepsy.