Autism spectrum disorders associated with X chromosome markers in French-Canadian males

Mol Psychiatry. 2006 Feb;11(2):206-13. doi: 10.1038/sj.mp.4001756.

Abstract

It is now well established that genetic factors play an important role in the pathogenesis of autism disorder and converging lines of evidence suggest the implication of the X chromosome. Using a sample of subjects diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders, exclusively composed of males from French-Canadian (FC) origin, we tested markers covering the entire X chromosome using a family-based association study. Our initial analysis revealed the presence of association at two loci: DXS6789 (P=0.026) and DXS8043 (P=0.0101). In a second step, we added support to the association at DXS8043 using additional markers, additional subjects and a haplotype-based analysis (best obtained P-value=0.00001). These results provide support for the existence of a locus on the X chromosome that predisposes the FC to autism spectrum disorders.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Autistic Disorder / genetics*
  • Canada
  • Child
  • Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / genetics
  • Child, Preschool
  • Chromosome Mapping
  • Chromosomes, Human, X / genetics*
  • Gene Frequency
  • Genetic Markers / genetics*
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease*
  • Genetics, Population
  • Haplotypes
  • Humans
  • Linkage Disequilibrium
  • Male
  • Pedigree

Substances

  • Genetic Markers