Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Picower Institute finds autism genetic link

By Mass High Tech staff

Research conducted at MIT’s Picower Institute for Learning and Memory has revealed a link between autism and two interacting genes. The discovery, reported in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), could lead scientists to target drugs for the specific genes responsible for some autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) symptoms.

The research, conducted on mice, noted the genetic risk factors associated with brain size and social behavior. According to the findings, mice that carried two different genes associated with autism showed more severe symptoms than those with one genetic mutation. The scientists noted that it is the interaction of the two genes that cause the most severe problems. In their research, head circumference above the 98th percentile, called macrocephaly, is linked to 24 percent of autistic patients. As a result, the brain size corresponded directly to the degree of behavior problems.

The Palm Beach, Fla.-based Picower Foundation was launched in 1989 with the goal of sponsoring medical research innovation. In 2002, the foundation launched the Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, with help from a $50 million gift. The goal of the Picower Institute is to study neurological disorders such as autism and Alzheimer’s disease.

In December, however, the Picower Foundation announced that it would cease operations because of heavy losses sustained from the collapse of fraudulent money manager Bernard Madoff’s fund, the local and national press has reported.