The unified theory of autism article

Hi Connie;

Very interesting article, the first with autism Ian collaboration, congratulations.

I do have one question that Dr. Law may be able to answer, if the parent(s) in the majority of cases (low risk cases) do not possess the mutation themselves, how does the theory explain the broad autism phenotype findings in first degree relatives.

Also listened to Pod cast, again very interesting especially the number of twins in the database.

Keep up the good work.

RAJ, thank you for your congratulations.

The team here was talking about the Broad Autism Phenotype (BAP) and the new unified genetics theory of autism, and we, too, are curious about the implications.

Basically, the theory is so new no one has had time to challenge or support it yet. It would be fascinating, for example, to see if BAP traits are found in the multiplex families (in which, according to the new theory, autism is inherited) and not in the simplex families (in which, according to the new theory, autism arose due to a new genetic mutation that was not part of the family genome before). And what will it mean for the new theory if BAP traits, or some subset thereof, are found in all the families, multiplex and simplex alike?

For those unfamiliar with the new theory, "multiplex" means a family with more than one child on the autism spectrum, and "simplex" means a family with only one child on the spectrum. "Broad Autism Phenotype" refers to autistic-like traits that may be found in family members of individuals with autism, like social anxiety or obsessiveness with a certain topic. You can read more about the new theory here:
http://www.iancommunity.org/cs/autism_spectrum_disorder_research/unified_genetic_theory