Materials+and+Methods+of+Autism

Research articles that are focused on the background of autism, studies focused on the genetic findings of autism, and genes such as MEF2A were found to dig deeper into the possibility of a genetic link. Research articles for primary information and review articles were found using the PubMed database. Information regarding Myocyte Enhancer Factor 2A (MEF2A) being a protein-coding gene was found using the Gene Cards website. An article from Frontiers in Neuroscience was used as a review article that gave an overview of multiple studies focused on variation in the gene expression in autism. An article from Cell discussed how mutations could affect cognitive and social behaviors. The Molecular Autism article went in depth about the genes suspected to affect autism and how they work. More information regarding genetic links to autism was found in an article from the International Journal of Molecular Sciences. Studies focused on genomics’ impact on brain development and its link to autism is from Translational Psychiatry.


 * MEF2A **
 * Stands for Myocyte Enhancement Factor 2A
 * Transcription factor linked to muscular and growth genes
 * Has been linked to both epilepsy and autism spectrum disorder
 * Exposure to glucosamine decreases MEF2A expression ( ctdbase.org)
 * Exposure to caffeine increases expression of MEF2A ( ctdbase.org)

Abstract and Introduction Results Broader Impacts Discussion Works Cited

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