Üsküdar University NP Etiler Medical Center Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Specialist Asst. Assoc. Dr. Melek Gözde Luş gave information about the genetic characteristics and genetic predisposition of autism spectrum disorder on the occasion of April 2, 'World Autism Awareness Day'.
Touching on the genetic characteristics and genetic predisposition of Autism Spectrum Disorder, Asst. Assoc. Dr. Melek Gözde Luş said, “Genetic research on Autism Spectrum Disorder has increased considerably, especially in recent years. 'Is there a specific gene for autism, how common are the genetic features of autism and how important are they?'. “Intensive studies have been carried out on this issue and it still continues.” said.
“It has been observed that there is a genetic transmission of 36 percent or more in identical twins.”
Asst. also stated that studies with twins, family studies, studies on chromosomal anomalies and molecular genetic studies have come a long way to detect the genetic features of autism. Assoc. Dr. Melek Gözde Luş said, “There is a genetic transmission of 36 percent or more in identical twins; It has been observed that this occurs in 5 percent of fraternal twins. “This actually gives us an idea of how autism is genetically affected.” he informed.
“SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS CAN BE OBSERVED IN THE FIRST DEGREE RELATIVES OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM”
Asst. Assoc. Dr. Melek Gözde Luş noted the following about autism and genes:
“It is thought that many genes are affected in autism. Just as we now call autism Autism Spectrum Disorder, we now prioritize genetic factors when we list the causes of autism.
Among the first-degree relatives of children with autism, there are 12-20 percent of individuals who do not have all the features of autism, which we call 'broad phenotype', but have social features, may be in good mental condition, and do not show other autism features, and 3 percent of siblings also have autism. We observe that the social limitation features, which we call broad phenotype, that is, wide trait, continue at this rate. “This stands before us as data on the genetic characteristics of autism.”
WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN AUTISM AND INCORRELATION?
Assist. stated that he was also curious about autism and consanguineous marriage. Assoc. Dr. Melek Gözde Luş explained the following:
“Inbreeding is important because it increases genetic transmission. Because, as in all genetic diseases, genetic characteristics in autism appear more frequently in consanguineous marriages.
“BECOMING A FATHER AT A LATER AGE AFFECTS AUTISM”
When we look at the environmental factors of autism, we see that advanced paternal age is the most important environmental factor affecting autism. Other environmental factors have been examined in studies and no connection with autism has been found. Although advanced paternal age is not a single cause, it is observed as a factor that reveals and enhances biological characteristics. Another reason for this is that the age of becoming a father is now a little older due to socioeconomic conditions. "In addition, the ability of individuals to have children with many different auxiliary methods can increase the age of the father."
“AUTISM IS SEEN IN 2-3 PERCENT IN TURKEY”
Stating that autism is seen at a rate of 2-3 percent in Turkey, Asst. Assoc. Dr. Melek Gözde Luş said, “When we look at all these environmental and genetic factors, we see that all of them actually affect our children in our country at an almost equal rate compared to other countries. "We strongly remind families that if you encounter the slightest suspicion about your child, you should consult the nearest child and adolescent psychiatrist." said.
