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The article, Gene links autism, belly aches, describes how the researchers from Vanderbilt University have found a genetic link between autism and gastrointestinal disorders. The same researchers also previously linked the genetic variant in the MET gene to autism. The MET gene is involved primarily in brain development and gut repair. In the autistic the control panel of the MET gene differs from that of others. The difference between those with autism and those without can be found in the placement of a single DNA letter in the MET gene. Autistic people have a MET C gene as opposed to the general population who have a MET G gene. Couples who both have the MET C gene are twice as likely to have a child with autism when compared to couples who both have the MET G gene. It should be noted that in the study not all participants with the MET C gene had autism or had autism and digestive tract problems.
It was found however, that autistic children whose parents both had MET C were more likely to have gastrointestinal problems then those where neither parent or only one had MET C. This suggests that the co-occurrence of autism and gastrointestinal problems may have a genetic cause.
The outcomes of this study will allow the medical community to better treat autistic patients by enabling them to better differentiate between patients and their individual treatment needs which will result in a better quality of care. The study also suggests that altering the diet of autism patients may result in some level of improvement in regards to their behaviour and mood. However altering diet alone will not deal with the underlying problems in the brain. If anything this study showed the cause of autism is far more complex then first thought as are the symptoms of this disorder.
References:
Gene links autism, bellyaches
By Tina Hesman Saey
March 28th, 2009; Vol.175 #7 (p. 11)
http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/41354/title/Gene_links_autism%2C_bellyaches
