York researchers make autism breakthrough

September 28, 2009

Written by By Qasim Ali, Contributor

Wednesday, 23 September 2009

A team of researchers at York University has successfully pinpointed a gene

that, when mutated, causes interference in infant brain development that is very

characteristic of autism.

Autism is a brain disorder that affects about 190,000 Canadians. Its

symptoms include impaired communication, social underdevelopment and repetitive

behavior.

Autism starts in early childhood and progresses as the patient ages. It is

most often diagnosed in early childhood, around the age of two. There is no cure

for autism.

The study indicates how the discovered gene is linked to normal brain

development, and how its mutation is linked to autistic behavior.

Dorota Crawford, an assistant professor with the school of kinesiology and

health science, is one of the researchers involved in this breakthrough study.

â€œIf we can identify defects in genes or molecules and the signaling

pathways early in brain development â€ " as we have in this study â€ " then it

should be possible to develop more effective treatments for children within

three years of age, which is when autism is diagnosed,â€ Crawford said in a

Sept. 16 press release.

Crawford said she hopes that the study will bring us one step closer to

medical treatments for children with autism.

Shaileen Wallani, a York undergraduate student who works and volunteers with

autistic children, welcomed the latest developments in the quest for a treatment

for autism.

â€œI think this is a great development, and this is surely a step towards a

promising future for all the autistic patients,â€ Wallani said.

â€œToday they find the cause, and soon they will find a treatment method â€ "

I am sure.â€

The current study is one of the first major achievements in neuroscientific

research by the growing neuroscience diploma program at York, since its creation

in June 2008.

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