Identification and Characterization of Genetic Components in Autism Spectrum Disorders 2019

Dear Colleagues,

This journal issue is dedicated to the study of autism due to genetic factors, and will publish a collection of original research or review articles and studies related to this topic. Highlights in the field of autism research and the early identification and characterization of genetic components will be addressed. Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are neurobehavioral disorders characterized by three behavioral domains and currently affect about 1% of children; they are, however, on the rise. Significant genetic contributions, factors and mechanisms underlie the causation of ASD. About 50% of individuals are diagnosed with chromosomal abnormalities, submicroscopic deletions or duplications, single gene disorders or variants and metabolic disturbances. The advancement of genetic technology with high resolution structural and microarrays with bioinformatics has led to the identification of well over 800 genes contributing to or associated with ASD. Further, next generation sequencing and other advances in diagnosing ASD at an early age may lead to potential pharmaceutical intervention/treatment that may vary from patient to patient depending on the specific structural and genomic findings, disturbed pathways and function with the associated characteristics of autism. New discoveries and the continued identification of candidate genes will be addressed, as will genotype–phenotype correlations. Evaluations requiring the use of advanced genetic testing options will be discussed along with psychiatric/behavioral co-morbidities, and a better delineation of ASD and approaches to treatment.

Prof. Dr. Merlin G. Butler
Guest Editor

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