"Spontaneous Copy Number Mutations in Sporadic Cases of Autism

CSHL Scientists Confirm Genetic Distinction Between Heritable and Sporadic Cases of Autism

Science Publishes "Strong association of de novo copy number variation with autism"



“Sporadic autism is the more common form of the disease, and even the inherited form might derive from a mutation that occurred in a parent or grandparent,” explained Wigler. Using a high-resolution method for analyzing DNA called microarray technology, the researchers found that spontaneous copy number mutations occur primarily in sporadic cases. The study reports that these new mutations were found less frequently in families that have more than one child with autism.