title: Autism: an overview of genetic aetiology.
abstract: Autism is a pervasive developmental disorder characterised by impairment in social interaction and in communication, with unusual behaviour. Genetic factors are predominant in autism pathogenesis. Interactions between multiple genes cause "idiopathic" autism but epigenetic factors and exposure to environmental modifiers may contribute to variable expression of autism-related traits. The genetic polymorphism and the phenotypic heterogeneity make the autism a complex disorder to study. Genetic research on families with multiple affected children and biochemical mechanisms studies represent the sources for identifying the susceptibility genes in autism. Children with dysmorphic features, congenital anomalies, mental retardation, or family members with developmental disorders are those most likely to benefit from extensive medical testing and genetic consultation.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de génétique humaine, Faculté de médecine de Tunis.
authors.forename: Nadia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bayou
authors.forename: Ridha
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: M'rad
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ahlem
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Béchir Helayem
authors.forename: Habiba
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chaabouni
mesh_terms: D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000235:genetics*; D002872:Chromosome Deletion; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D002884:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 15; D002887:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 18; D002897:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 7; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D006801:Humans; D010641:Phenotype; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012307:Risk Factors; D012744:Sex Ratio; D018433:Twin Studies as Topic