MELVILLE, NY--(Marketwire - March 19, 2008) - Population Diagnostics, Inc. announced today that its mutation discovery technology was used to reveal genetic biomarkers associated with autism, a prevalent developmental disorder affecting 1 child in 150. Dr. Eli Hatchwell, MD PhD, an Associate Professor at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, led the research team. The results of this study were published March 18th in the Online Journal of Medical Genetics, a prominent peer reviewed journal. The study identified mutations in the CNTN4 gene on chromosome 3 as the cause of autism in some children. These findings will contribute to the development of DNA-based diagnostic tests for the early detection of autism, which will enable parents of affected children to pursue earlier intervention treatments. Knowledge of CNTN4 mutations will also pave the way for research into future medicines for this severe disorder.
