New findings on autism-related disorder
(PHYSorg.com Medicine & Health)

In a study published today in Nature, Marc Bühler and his group at the Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research (FMI) have taken a major step forward in elucidating the mechanisms underlying a disorder known as Helsmoortel-Van der Aa syndrome. They clarify the role played by ADNP-a protein whose gene is mutated in patients with the syndrome-in the formation of tissues during embryonic development. The study provides important insights into a disorder that has been poorly understood to date, and for which no treatment is yet available.