Kerryn Boogaard Kerryn Boogaard
Beverly Goldsmith Beverly Goldsmith
Zoe Bingley-Pullin Zoe Bingley-Pullin

Possible genetic screening at birth to help parents:

Researchers identify combination of genes that indicate risk of ADHD, autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia.
By Motherpedia
Date: February 11 2013
Editor Rating:
baby_

Genetic screening at birth may allow researchers to determine a child’s risk of developing mental illness later in life, according to researchers from the Queensland Brain Institute.

Associate Professor Charles Claudianos and Dr Alex Cristino have analysed genetic data from groups of patients with mental illnesses such as ADHD, autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia, to identify combinations of genes that indicate a risk of developing a particular illness.

By arranging the thousands of genes they identified as being involved in these diseases into acomplex network, the researchers have developed an analytical tool to predict which disease will arise from a certain combination of genes.

Currently, developmental brain disorders like autism and ADHD are diagnosed by observing behavioural and mental abnormalities in children, such as delayed language development and impaired memory and learning.

In five years, the researchers would like tobe able to screen the DNA of newborns and older children to make a molecular diagnosis, determining the child’s risk of developing a mental illness or improving the accuracy of an existing diagnosis based on behaviour.

Such an early diagnosis would allow interventions such as speech therapy and intensive education to be started early in life, programs which have been shown to significantly improve learning outcomes in children.

The researchers hope to further develop the tool as part of a proposed new Co-operative Research Centre for Living with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Share This Tweet This Email To Friend
Recent Comments
0 Total Comments
Post a Comment
* your email address will not appear

Please enter the word you see in the image below:


Post a Comment
* your email address will not appear

Please enter the word you see in the image below:33343


Your Comment has been posted
Related Articles
happy_family_2
A happy family life is hard work, but it's worth…
Read more
baby_boy_sleeping
Do you have a 'technical baby'? If so, watch to…
Read more
autism
Journalist, blogger and mother of two, Josie Gagliano shares her…
Read more
Cry babies

Dry your eyes!
The newest additions are on their way from the Babies who cry real tears!

Shipping-containers-freight-wallpaper-preview

Latest Tech Used In Shipping Containers
Read how the shipping industry has revolutionised

Motherpedia cover-2

Win 1 set of a 4-book hardcover illustrated boxed set
Barbara Murray’s new 4-book Sound Stories is perfect for parents and educators and could assist with NAPLAN results

Motherpedia cover (4)

Where to celebrate Oktoberfest Australia
Get ready for this celebration!

Motherpedia cover-4

A Fortnight of Foodie Experiences at East Village
A taste of East Village. What's in it for me?

Globber my too fix up cover

We Try: Globber My TOO Fix Up
A scooter that grows with your child

Throw a winning cricket pitch

3 Steps to a Winning Backyard Cricket Pitch
Ex-Adelaide Oval legend curator Les Burdett shares his tips for getting your backyard cricket pitch test match ready this summer

A bike that follows your kids life cycle - motherpedia - cover

A Bike That Follows Your Kids Life Cycle
Check out the Bunzi 2-in-1 gradual balance bike!

Moonlight lifestyle

Moonlight Cinema to bring…
Moonlight Cinema announces brand new Western Sydney venue

Screen shot 2019-11-26 at 8.29.12 am

Your Magical Christmas Wonderland…
Adventure park is about to light up the night sky with its "Christmas Festival of Lights"

Screen shot 2019-11-21 at 11.11.36 am

The Preston Market Gets…
It's time to feel pumped up for the holiday season!

Bruno-kelzer-zqzuigxcvrq-unsplash

Bunnings team members get…
Help raise funds by buying a snag or donating at your local store.