New Genetic Approaches for Early Diagnosis and Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are common heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorders, characterized by disruptions in social interactions, communication, and limitations in behavior. Early diagnosis is an important step to prevent progression of ASD. Recent developments in genetic technology provide useful tools to investigate the molecular mechanisms involved in autism. Despite a number of noteworthy studies, there is not yet enough understanding of the genetic etiology of ASD. Research should focus on multidisciplinary approaches to improve early diagnosis and intervention of autism. It is important to study the combinatorial effects of genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors. This review focuses on current research in ASD, highlighting the importance of identifying new approaches, such as next generation sequencing (NGS) and microRNA (miRNA) technologies, to introduce possible ways for developing new biomarkers and drugs.