Genetic and Neurodevelopmental Influences in Autistic Disorder

OBJECTIVE: In the past, autism was considered to be largely psychogenic. However, research in the last 2 decades indicates that autism is largely caused by genetic factors that lead to abnormal brain development. This article reviews research into the genetic and neurodevelopmental factors underlying autism. METHODS: We review the findings from genetic and brain-imaging studies of autism over the past 15 years and synthesize these findings as a …