Genetics of Autism Spectrum Disorder: Experience in Developing Countries

Abstract

Autism is a group of neurodevelopmental disorders. The knowledge about the etiology of autism is still in a nascent stage. This chapter will focus on the role of genetics in the development of autism. Genetics plays an important role in autism and 12 genes have been linked strongly in the development of autism. To identify genes involved in autism, experimental techniques such as linkage analysis, cytogenetics, resequencing, genome-wide association studies, and array comparative genome hybridization have been used. The California Autism Twins Study has showed that as compared to genetic factors, environmental factors play an equally important role in the pathogenesis of autism. Further research is being carried out to find other factors such as environment or gene-environment interactions and neurological, infectious, immunological, and metabolic factors that may be involved in the onset of autism. This can aid in the early diagnosis and treatment of autism.