[Autism: more evidence of a genetic cause].

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) affect at least 1/200 individuals. They are characterized by impaired communication skills and social interaction, as well as restricted, repetitive and stereotyped behaviours. Recent studies point to a role of a synaptic pathway, including synaptic cell adhesion molecules (neuroligins and neurexins) and scaffolding proteins (SHANK3). Abnormal synapse formation/maintenance and an imbalance between GABAergic and glutamatergic synaptic currents seem to be involved in the etiology of ASD.