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An investigation of mitochondrial haplogroups in autism
Author(s) -
Kent Lindsey,
Gallagher Louise,
Elliott Hannah R.,
Mowbray Catherine,
Chinnery Patrick F.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
american journal of medical genetics part b: neuropsychiatric genetics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.393
H-Index - 126
eISSN - 1552-485X
pISSN - 1552-4841
DOI - 10.1002/ajmg.b.30687
Subject(s) - autism , human mitochondrial dna haplogroup , mitochondrial dna , haplogroup , genetics , proband , biology , heritability of autism , population , haplotype , gene , mutation , psychology , genotype , developmental psychology , medicine , phenotype , environmental health
Family and twin studies provide strong evidence of a major genetic influence in autism, but the underlying gene defects have yet to be characterized. The mothers of boys with autism share autistic traits, raising the possibility of a maternally inherited factor. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is almost exclusively inherited down the maternal line. We therefore explored the possibility that a particular mtDNA lineage contributes to the risk of developing autism. The mtDNA haplogroup was determined in 162 autism probands, and compared to two sets of population controls. Results show no compelling evidence of an association of any mitochondrial haplogroup in autism. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.