Task 6  Recognizing Details

        Watch a video clip “Genetic Link in Autism" twice and decide whether each of the statements below is TRUE (T) or FALSE (F).

_T_1. Scientists are coming up with some clues by comparing the entire genetic code of all people with autism.

_T_2. Scientists didn't know why people with autism have brains that work differently.

_F_3. It's the firsttime scientists have identified specific gene mutations in many people without autism.

_T_4. The frontallob of the brain is involved in complex behavior and abstract thought.

  F  5. Scientists have long suspected that identical twins have strong odds of developing autism.

  T  6. The new research did not only examine DNA contributed by twins.

  T  7. The new research could lead to the development of medications that help to restore brain function in autism.

Genetic Link in Autism

      We have a close look tonight at aground-breaking new research into autism and findings that could someday load to new ways of treating the disorder. Results are from three important studies,including the largest-ever done on the genetics of autism. By comparing the entire genetic code of people with or without autism, scientists are coming up with some clues. Hero is ABC John Donvan's report.

Scientists knew already that people with autism have brains that work differently. The question has been why.

Today's report offers the best evidenceyet that a major part of the answers is genetics.

It's the first time scientists have identified specific gene mutations leading to specific abnormalities in how brain cells carry messages in many people with autism.

"The genes that were discovered appear to be involved in the development of the frontal lobe of the brain, the area of the brain that is involved in complex behavior such as social behavior and also abstract thought,” said Dr. Geri Dawson, chief officer of Autism Speaks and co-author of the study.

Scientists have long suspected thisgenetic link, having noticed long ago, for example, that in families with identical twins, if one twin has autism, the odds are relatively strong that the other does too.

But this new research goes well beyond twin studies, using the latest technology to examine DNA that was contributed by more than 12,000 families – the largest autism gene study ever.

Include was the family was Erica Romano of Brooklyn, N. Y. ,with two boys who have autism, Avon and Erica. She needs no conviction that autism involves genes and can run in families.

" I have a third cousin who has Asperger's and a first cousin who has just PDD/autism." she told ABC News.

“This is one of the studies that actually highlighted a specific biochemical pathway that may then lead to the development of medications or drugs that could help to restore brain functionin autism,” said Dr. Dawson.

It won't be tomorrow, or perhaps even this decade. But this research opens a door to understanding that till now was shut tight.

Genetic Link in Autism

      We have a close look tonight at aground-breaking new research into autism and findings that could someday load to new ways of treating the disorder. Results are from three important studies,including the largest-ever done on the genetics of autism. By comparing the entire genetic code of people with or without autism, scientists are coming up with some clues. Here is ABC John Donvan's report.

Scientists knew already that people with autism have brains that work differently. The question has been why.

Today’s report offers the best evidence yet that a major part of the answers is genetics.

It's the first time scientists have identified specific gene mutations leading to specific abnormalities in how brain cells carry messages in many people with autism.

"The genes that were discovered appear to be involved in the development of the frontal lobe of the brain, the area of the brain that is involved in complex behavior such as social behavior and also abstract thought,” said Dr. Geri Dawson, chief officer of Autism Speaks and co-author of the study.

Scientists have long suspected this genetic link, having noticed long ago, for example, that in families with identical twins, if one twin has autism, the odds are relatively strong that the other does too.

But this new research goes well beyond twin studies, using the latest technology to examine DNA that was contributed by more than 12,000 families – the largest autism gene study ever.

Included with the family was Erica Romano of Brooklyn, N. Y. ,with two boys who have autism, Avon and Erica. She needs no conviction that autism involves genes and can run in families.

“This is one of the studies that actually highlighted a specific biochemical pathway that may then lead to the development of medications or drugs that could help to restore brain function in autism,” said Dr. Dawson.

It won’t be tomorrow, or perhaps even this decade. But this research opens a door to understanding that till now was shut tight.