Researchers Unravel Genetic Mystery Causing Complex Brain Disorders, Including Autism

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TAOK2 plays a direct role

 

A study led by researchers at McMaster University has pinpointed a gene that is linked to neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism.  

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Researchers found alterations of the gene thousand and one amino-acid kinase 2, known as TAOK2, plays a direct role in these disorders. This is the first comprehensive study that supports previous research suggesting the involvement of this gene.

“Our studies reveal that in complex brain disorders that have a loss of many genes, a single deleted gene is sufficient to cause symptoms for the patients,” said Karun Singh, study co-author and researcher with McMaster’s Stem Cell and Cancer Research Institute.

“This is exciting because it focuses our research effort on the individual gene, saving us time and money as it will speed up the development of targeted therapeutics to this gene alone.”

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