Chromosomal abnormalities associated with autism or autism spectrum-disorders have been reported in 56 different regions involving all 22 autosomes plus both sex chromosomes. The completion of the mapping of the human genome has enabled the development of new whole genome BAG microarrays that allow simultaneous examination of the entire human genome for chromosomal abnormalities involving changes in dosage (i.e. deletions or duplications). This technique is termed array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH). Routine cytogenetics has a resolution of approximately 3-4 MB while the whole genome microarrays have a resolution of -150 kb. The availability of these microarrays allows for the first time the ability to screen for constitutional chromosomal abnormalities related to autism on a whole genome scale. The hypothesis to be tested is that chromosomal imbalances detected using aCGH will identify both large abnormalities plus new smaller abnormalities that were previously undetectable using older techniques.
Aim #1) Array CGH using a 6k microarray will be performed on 800 subjects with autism or autism spectrum disorder. To determine whether the abnormality is associated with autism, a case control study using 800 normal controls will also be perfomed.
Aim #2) In silico analysis of the abnormal regions identified in aim #1 will be performed using the UCSC genome bioinformatics website. The regions will be characterized for the presence of microsatellites for confirmation studies, candidate genes, predicted genes and regions of strong conservation between species.
Aim #3) All subjects that contain a region or regions with abnormal dosage using array CGH will be confirmed using both molecular and cytogenetic techniques. Microsatellite analysis of the child and both parents will be used to confirm the presence and size of the abnormality and the parental origin for potentially imprinted regions.
Aim #4) Statistical analysis. The chisquared contingency table test will be performed and the significance of the result assessed using a Monte Carlo approach to determine the statististical significance of chromosomal imbalances. These data will be valuable in both identifying polymorphic variants in normal human control samples and also identifying chromosomal dosage imbalances that are associated with autism.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01NS051812-01
Application #
6910324
Study Section
Genomics, Computational Biology and Technology Study Section (GCAT)
Program Officer
Mamounas, Laura
Project Start
2005-08-15
Project End
2009-02-28
Budget Start
2005-08-15
Budget End
2006-02-28
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2005
Total Cost
$545,827
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Chicago
Department
Psychiatry
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
005421136
City
Chicago
State
IL
Country
United States
Zip Code
60637
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Kumar, Ravinesh A; Christian, Susan L (2009) Genetics of autism spectrum disorders. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 9:188-97
Kumar, Ravinesh A; Marshall, Christian R; Badner, Judith A et al. (2009) Association and mutation analyses of 16p11.2 autism candidate genes. PLoS One 4:e4582
Roohi, J; Montagna, C; Tegay, D H et al. (2009) Disruption of contactin 4 in three subjects with autism spectrum disorder. J Med Genet 46:176-82
Babatz, Timothy D; Kumar, Ravinesh A; Sudi, Jyotsna et al. (2009) Copy number and sequence variants implicate APBA2 as an autism candidate gene. Autism Res 2:359-64
Christian, Susan L; Brune, Camille W; Sudi, Jyotsna et al. (2008) Novel submicroscopic chromosomal abnormalities detected in autism spectrum disorder. Biol Psychiatry 63:1111-7
Kumar, Ravinesh A; KaraMohamed, Samer; Sudi, Jyotsna et al. (2008) Recurrent 16p11.2 microdeletions in autism. Hum Mol Genet 17:628-38