New autism genes found

By Saundra Young

CNN Medical Senior Producer

June 9, 2010

Researchers have identified dozens of genes that increase the risk of an individual getting autism, according to a new study published in the journal Nature.

Genetic data were collected from 1,000 people with autism spectrum disorder and 1,300 from individuals without ASD. Researchers found those with autism had more genetic insertions and deletions-called copy number variants or CNV-in their genome than those who did not have the disorder.