title: [Autism: more evidence of a genetic cause].
abstract: Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) affect at least 1/200 individuals. They are characterized by impaired communication skills and social interaction, as well as restricted, repetitive and stereotyped behaviours. Recent studies point to a role of a synaptic pathway, including synaptic cell adhesion molecules (neuroligins and neurexins) and scaffolding proteins (SHANK3). Abnormal synapse formation/maintenance and an imbalance between GABAergic and glutamatergic synaptic currents seem to be involved in the etiology of ASD.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de génétique humaine et fonctions cognitives, Institut Pasteur, 25, rue du Dr Roux 75015 Paris.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bourgeron
authors.forename: Marion
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leboyer
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Delorme
mesh_terms: D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000235:genetics*; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D002352:Carrier Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C492357:SHANK3 protein, human