How do researchers look for the genes that contribute to autistic disorder?
• Researchers compare genetic material from people with autistic disorder and their families to find common shared pieces of genetic material. Once researchers narrow the areas of chromosomes where suspected genes associated with autistic disorder are, they can search for candidate genes in the area. Candidate genes are genes that, based on their known function or location, may be associated with autistic disorder. Once candidate genes are identified, further studies are done to prove or disprove an association with autistic disorder and to better understand the gene’s structure and function.
