Groundbreaking Study Unveils Role of Neanderthal Genes in Autism

A landmark study recently published in the prestigious science journal 性质:分子精神病学 has unveiled a new discovery in autism research. The research is the first to show that certain genetic traits inherited from Neanderthals play a significant role in autism. Dr. 艾米丽卡萨诺瓦, assistant professor of neuroscience at MG游戏官方网站, co-authored this pioneering work alongside her esteemed colleagues at Clemson University. 

十四年前, scientists discovered that modern humans carry Neanderthal DNA, a legacy of interbreeding with our extinct cousins. 从那时起, researchers have linked these ancient genetic variants to various health conditions, 包括严重的COVID-19, 自身免疫性疾病, 心理健康状况. This new study adds autism to the list, showing that certain Neanderthal-derived genetic markers are more common in individuals with autism than in the general population.

"Our findings suggest that some Neanderthal genetic variants could play a role in autism susceptibility,卡萨诺瓦说. 

This research sheds light on autism's complex genetic landscape and opens up new possibilities for understanding its origins. It revealed that specific Neanderthal genetic variants are enriched in people with autism compared to ethnically matched control groups. 此外, the researchers also found 25 genetic markers linked to the brain that are more common in people with autism.

In addition to these findings, the study discovered genetic markers linked to autism in different ethnic groups. 例如, the Neanderthal DNA marker in the SLC37A1 gene was associated with autism and epilepsy in white non-Hispanic individuals. 尽管存在这些联系, the researchers emphasize that autistic individuals do not carry more Neanderthal DNA overall compared to non-autistic individuals. 而不是, a subset of Neanderthal-derived genetic variations is more prevalent in people with autism and their families.

"We are excited about the potential implications of these findings for autism research,卡萨诺瓦补充道. “Understanding the role of Neanderthal DNA in autism could lead to new insights and approaches to diagnosis and a better understanding of the different causes of autism. One example of diagnostics would be the use of these markers in gene panels that could aid in the diagnosis of autism.” 

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