New understanding into a common cause of syndromic autism

Australian and Chilean scientists have made a discovery in their understanding of the genetics of a common form of syndromic autism – and they hope their work could one day lead to the development of treatments for the condition. The Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) led the research focusing on genes linked to Fragile X syndrome (FXS), one of the most common genetic causes of intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), particularly in boys. Approximately one in 4,000 males are affected.