title: Clinical neurogenetics: autism spectrum disorders.
abstract: Autism spectrum disorders are neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by deficits in social interactions, communication, and repetitive or restricted interests. There is strong evidence that de novo or inherited genetic alterations play a critical role in causing Autism Spectrum Disorders, but non-genetic causes, such as in utero infections, may also play a role. Magnetic resonance imaging based and autopsy studies indicate that early rapid increase in brain size during infancy could underlie the deficits in a large subset of subjects. Clinical studies show benefits for both behavioral and pharmacological treatment strategies. Genotype-specific treatments have the potential for improving outcome in the future.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA. Electronic address: SMehta@mednet.ucla.edu.
authors.forename: Sunil Q
authors.initials: SQ
authors.lastname: Mehta
authors.forename: Peyman
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Golshani
mesh_terms: D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D005820:Genetic Testing; D006801:Humans; D046228:Microarray Analysis
keywords: Autism; Autism spectrum disorders; Chromosomal microarray; Genetic testing