[Genetic and brain structure anomalies in autism spectrum disorders. Towards an understanding of the aetiopathogenesis?].

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are pervasive development disorders with high heritability and an as yet unclear aetiology. So far molecular genetic research was able to identify several candidate genes for the disorder which are functionally linked to neurotransmission and neuronal migration, cortical organisation and synaptic plasticity. MRI studies repeatedly showed a higher total brain volume for ASD patients. The volume increase was most pronounced for the frontal and the temporal lobes and peaked in early childhood. A combination of molecular genetic and structural imaging research appears promising for a further characterization of ASD aetiology.