New Genetic Risk Factor for Both Autism and Schizophrenia, Emory University Finds

ScienceDaily (Nov. 4, 2010) — Researchers have uncovered a prominent genetic risk factor for autism spectrum disorders and schizophrenia. The study, published by Cell Press on Nov. 4 in the American Journal of Human Genetics, reports a small genomic deletion in patients with these neurological conditions. The region includes a gene in which mutations cause a kidney disease (renal cysts and diabetes syndrome, RCAD).