Analysis of autism susceptibility gene loci on chromosomes 1p, 4p, 6q, 7q,13q, 15q, 16p, 17q, 19q and 22q in Finnish multiplex families

The role of genetic factors in the etiology of the autistic spectrum of dis orders has clearly been demonstrated. Ten chromosomal regions, on chromosom es Ip, 4p, 6q, 7q, 13q, 15q, 16p, 17q, 19q and 22q have potentially been li nked to autism.(1-8) We have analyzed these chromosomal regions in a total of 17 multiplex families with autism originating from the isolated Finnish population by pairwise linkage analysis and sib-pair analysis. Mild evidenc e for putative contribution was found only with the Ip chromosomal region i n the susceptibility to autism. Our data suggest that additional gene loci exist for autism which will be detectable in and even restricted to the iso lated Finnish population.