Genetic Research on Autism: From the ‘Autism Gene’ to the ‘Genetic Susceptibility Base’

1. Molecular genetics and the emergence of the autism spectrum 2. In search of the empathy gene 3. De novo’ mutations 4. The overall state of autism genetic research 5. The overlaps between genetic brain disorders and neurological and psychiatric phenotypes with regard to autism, genetics was understood as that branch of studies that would find ‘the cause’ and propose ‘the cure’. In reality, it soon became clear that this would not be the case. This chapter first describes the paths that were taken at the beginning of the genetic research and then the various results we have arrived at. This chapter aims to offer a frame of reference and a summary ‘to date’, considering that while it is true that ‘the’ gene responsible for autism has not been found, not only has research produced extraordinary results, but it has at the same time outlined a serious, solid and reliable framework on susceptibility and to some extent genetic predisposition.