Gene linked with higher autism risk

[Guest guest]

http://www.newsday.com/news/health/ny-hsauto023736153apr02,0,2957095.story?c

oll=ny-health-headlines

.... two variants of a single gene that might raise a child's risk of autism

by twofold or more... The variants are fairly common and can't bring on the

disease by themselves, the researchers said. Scientists believe several

genes, perhaps five to 10, have to work together to produce autism...

" Having one of these variants appears to approximately double an

individual's risk for this disorder, but it is an accumulation of genetic

factors that cause the disease, " ... The gene is involved in providing

energy to brain cells, so variant versions might hamper the operation of

those cells.