Researchers gather autistic-related DNA

MONTREAL, May 7 (UPI) -- Canadian and U.S. scientists say they're creating an autistic DNA database involving cases in which there is only one family member with autism.

Data from that group, which represents the great majority of autism spectrum disorders, is expected to lead to the discovery of new genetic factors that increase the risk of autism.

Dr. Eric Fombonne of Montreal Children's Hospital said the Simons Simplex Collection effort involves a Canadian-U.S. consortium to gather DNA samples from 2,000 autism patients and their families during the next three years.

In addition, Fombonne said the database will be accessible online to the scientific community and will represent an invaluable tool for future research projects.

"This database will link state-of-the-art genetic analysis to very detailed behavioral assessments," he said. "This is an unprecedented project that could greatly enhance our understanding of underlying biological processes."

The research involves Baylor, Columbia, Emory, Vanderbilt, Washington, Yale and Harvard universities, as well as the universities of California-Los Angeles, Illinois-Chicago, Michigan, and Missouri and the University of Washington.