Autism

Description

Autism, the prototypic pervasive developmental disorder (PDD), is usually apparent by 3 years of age. It is characterized by a triad of limited or absent verbal communication, a lack of reciprocal social interaction or responsiveness, and restricted, stereotypic, and ritualized patterns of interests and behavior (Bailey et al., 1996; Risch et al., 1999). 'Autism spectrum disorder,' sometimes referred to as ASD, is a broader phenotype encompassing the less severe disorders Asperger syndrome (see ASPG1; {608638}) and pervasive developmental disorder, not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS). 'Broad autism phenotype' includes individuals with some symptoms of autism, but who do not meet the full criteria for autism or other disorders. Mental retardation coexists in approximately two-thirds of individuals with ASD, except for Asperger syndrome, in which mental retardation is conspicuously absent (Jones et al., 2008). Genetic studies in autism often include family members with these less stringent diagnoses (Schellenberg et al., 2006).Levy et al. (2009) provided a general review of autism and autism spectrum disorder, including epidemiology, characteristics of the disorder, diagnosis, neurobiologic hypotheses for the etiology, genetics, and treatment options. Genetic Heterogeneity of AutismAutism is considered to be a complex multifactorial disorder involving many genes. Accordingly, several loci have been identified, some or all of which may contribute to the phenotype. Included in this entry is AUTS1, which has been mapped to chromosome 7q22.Other susceptibility loci include AUTS3 (OMIM ), which maps to chromosome 13q14; AUTS4 (OMIM ), which maps to chromosome 15q11; AUTS5 (OMIM ), which maps to chromosome 2q; AUTS6 (OMIM ), which maps to chromosome 17q11; AUTS7 (OMIM ), which maps to chromosome 17q21; AUTS8 (OMIM ), which maps to chromosome 3q25-q27; AUTS9 (OMIM ), which maps to chromosome 7q31; AUTS10 (OMIM ), which maps to chromosome 7q36; AUTS11 (OMIM ), which maps to chromosome 1q41; AUTS12 (OMIM ), which maps to chromosome 21p13-q11; AUTS13 (OMIM ), which maps to chromosome 12q14; AUTS14A (OMIM ), which has been found in patients with a deletion of a region of 16p11.2; AUTS14B (OMIM ), which has been found in patients with a duplication of a region of 16p11.2; AUTS15 (OMIM ), associated with mutation in the CNTNAP2 gene (OMIM ) on chromosome 7q35-q36; AUTS16 (OMIM ), associated with mutation in the SLC9A9 gene (OMIM ) on chromosome 3q24; AUTS17 (OMIM ), associated with mutation in the SHANK2 gene (OMIM ) on chromosome 11q13; and AUTS18 (OMIM ), associated with mutation in the CHD8 gene (OMIM ). (NOTE: the symbol 'AUTS2' has been used to refer to a gene on chromosome 7q11 (KIAA0442 ) and therefore is not used as a part of this autism locus series.)There are several X-linked forms of autism susceptibility: AUTSX1 (OMIM ), associated with mutations in the NLGN3 gene (OMIM ); AUTSX2 (OMIM ), associated with mutations in NLGN4 (OMIM ); AUTSX3 (OMIM ), associated with mutations in MECP2 (OMIM ); AUTSX4 (OMIM ), associated with variation in the region on chromosome Xp22.11 containing the PTCHD1 gene (OMIM ); AUTSX5 (OMIM ), associated with mutations in the RPL10 gene (OMIM ); and AUTSX6 (OMIM ), associated with mutation in the TMLHE gene (OMIM ).Folstein and Rosen-Sheidley (2001) reviewed the genetics of autism.

Clinical Features

• Intellectual disability
• Seizures
• Global developmental delay
• Cognitive impairment
• Delayed speech and language development
• Atrial septal defect
• Absent speech
• Autism
• EEG abnormality
• Developmental regression

And another 13 symptoms. If you need more information about this disease we can help you.