New genes discovered by Harvard University researchers offer clues on how to treat some forms of autism that reportedly affect one in 160 children in Saudi Arabia. The researchers – in collaboration with scientists and physicians in the United States, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Kuwait – focused on large families in which both parents share a recent ancestor and found half a dozen new genes involved in autism that suggest the disorder strikes in a brain that cannot properly form new connections. The key breakthrough is that certain genes that respond to experience were not missing in the children but were merely stuck in the “off” position. Autistic children share three key traits: they're slow to develop language, they are poor at social interactions, and they repeat stereotyped behavior over and over. But that's where the similarities end; some forms of autism are subtle, whereas others devastate every aspect of functioning. There were 42,500 confirmed cases of autism in Saudi Arabia in 2002, and many more cases remain undiagnosed, according to the British Medical Journal. Amazing advances in DNA analysis technology, and by improved criteria for diagnosis have helped the hunt for autism genes. The research group led by Dr. Christopher Walsh from Harvard Medical School narrowed down their hunt to countries like Saudi Arabia where first-cousin marriage is relatively common, and families tend to have large numbers of children. Multiple potential autism mutations are more likely in its gene pool of an extended family. First cousin marriages are much more likely to produce children who have the right combination of unlucky genes for full-blown autism. To reduce hereditary diseases in the population, the Saudi government has made pre-marital gene testing mandatory for Saudis. A national program for autism and growth abnormalities has been set up. The Saudi Autism Society has been officially recognized and centers have been opened for the early treatment of autistic children. Walsh said the genetic clues found raises new possibilities about how to treat some forms of autism. When autism is caused by a missing gene, the only option may be to replace it using gene therapy, he said.
