Re: Reuters: Scientists identify gene mutation in autism [Well, they found the gene in 3 families of 200 tested]

[Guest guest]

Shank you very much for trying French scientists, but "No Shank" you for this study.. Shank gonna win you the Nobel Prize. Maurine(I think I am losing it tonight) Krakow <rkrakow@...> wrote: Comment: The finding of 3 families with the mutation, out of 200 tested, as described in this article seems not to merit the Reuters headline, which suggests something a bit more genetically compelling. The search for the elusive "autism gene" continues..."They sequenced a gene called SHANK3 in more than 200 people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), which includes autism, and found mutations in the gene in members of three families.""'These mutations concern only a small number of individuals, but they shed light on one gene ... that is involved in autism

spectrum disorders,'" Bourgeron, of the Pasteur Institute in Paris, said in a report in the journal Nature Genetics.Scientists identify gene mutation in autismSun Dec 17, 2006 6:05 PM GMT140http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/articlenews.aspx? type=healthNews & storyID=2006-12 -17T180540Z_01_L17519993_RTRIDST_0_HEALTH-FRANCE-AUTISM- DC.XML & WTmodLoc=SciHealth-C1-Headline-9PARIS (Reuters) - French scientists have identified genetic mutations in a small number of children with autism which could provide insight into the biological basis of the disorder.They sequenced a gene called SHANK3 in more than 200 people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), which includes autism, and found mutations in the gene in members of three families.ASD covers a range of problems that affect communication, social interaction, verbal skills and behavior."These mutations concern only a small

number of individuals, but they shed light on one gene ... that is involved in autism spectrum disorders," Bourgeron, of the Pasteur Institute in Paris, said in a report in the journal Nature Genetics.ASD, which affect six out of 1,000 children, range from mild to severe forms. The disorders are caused by chromosomal rearrangements in 3 to 6 percent of cases.In people with cognitive deficits and with autistic behavior a part of their chromosome 22 is often affected. That region contains the SHANK3 gene.In all three families identified in the study, the researchers found they had various types of mutations in the gene. Two brothers in one family had small deletions, while another child in a different family had significant deletions.A girl with a deletion of SHANK 3 in the third family suffered from autism while her brother, who had an additional copy of the gene, had a mild form of

autism called Asperger syndrome.The cause of autism is unknown. It usually develops before the age of 30 months. A minority of autistic children, who are known as autistic savants, show remarkable artistic, musical or mathematical skills.The protein encoded by SHANK3 interacts with other proteins called neuroligins, which have a role in giving impulses to the brain, spinal column and nerves. __________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Does anyone find it interesting that this "autism gene" identification came out of the Pasteur Institute in Paris? Eugenics and vaccines ......helllloooooo

>> Comment: The finding of 3 families with the mutation, out of 200 > tested, as described in this article seems not to merit the Reuters > headline, which suggests something a bit more genetically compelling. > The search for the elusive "autism gene" continues...> > "They sequenced a gene called SHANK3 in more than 200 people with > autism spectrum disorders (ASD), which includes autism, and found > mutations in the gene in members of three families."> > "'These mutations concern only a small number of individuals, but they > shed light on one gene ... that is involved in autism spectrum > disorders,'" Bourgeron, of the Pasteur Institute in Paris, said > in a report in the journal Nature Genetics.> > > Scientists identify gene mutation in autism> Sun Dec 17, 2006 6:05 PM GMT140> > http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/articlenews.aspx? > type=healthNews & storyID=2006-12 > -17T180540Z_01_L17519993_RTRIDST_0_HEALTH-FRANCE-AUTISM- > DC.XML & WTmodLoc=SciHealth-C1-Headline-9> > PARIS (Reuters) - French scientists have identified genetic mutations > in a small number of children with autism which could provide insight > into the biological basis of the disorder.> > They sequenced a gene called SHANK3 in more than 200 people with autism > spectrum disorders (ASD), which includes autism, and found mutations in > the gene in members of three families.> > ASD covers a range of problems that affect communication, social > interaction, verbal skills and behavior.> > "These mutations concern only a small number of individuals, but they > shed light on one gene ... that is involved in autism spectrum > disorders," Bourgeron, of the Pasteur Institute in Paris, said > in a report in the journal Nature Genetics.> > ASD, which affect six out of 1,000 children, range from mild to severe > forms. The disorders are caused by chromosomal rearrangements in 3 to 6 > percent of cases.> > In people with cognitive deficits and with autistic behavior a part of > their chromosome 22 is often affected. That region contains the SHANK3 > gene.> > In all three families identified in the study, the researchers found > they had various types of mutations in the gene. Two brothers in one > family had small deletions, while another child in a different family > had significant deletions.> > A girl with a deletion of SHANK 3 in the third family suffered from > autism while her brother, who had an additional copy of the gene, had a > mild form of autism called Asperger syndrome.> > The cause of autism is unknown. It usually develops before the age of > 30 months. A minority of autistic children, who are known as autistic > savants, show remarkable artistic, musical or mathematical skills.> > The protein encoded by SHANK3 interacts with other proteins called > neuroligins, which have a role in giving impulses to the brain, spinal > column and nerves.>