First evidence of genetic link between prodigy and autism uncovered

A new study has suggested that autism and prodigy share a common genetic link.

The Ohio State University and Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus scientists found that child prodigies in their sample share some of the same genetic variations with people who have autism and these shared genetic markers occur on chromosome 1.

The findings confirm a hypothesis made by co-author Joanne Ruthsatz, who said that this new research provides the first evidence to confirm that.

Co-author Christopher Bartlett said that they haven't identified the mutations, but they found that there's something in this region of chromosome 1 that is the same with both prodigies and their family members with autism.

Ruthsatz noted that they now know what connects prodigy with autism and what they want to know is what distinguishes them. They have a strong suspicion that there's a genetic component to that, as well, and that's the focus of their future work.

The Human Heredity study involved five child prodigies and their families that Ruthsatz has been studying, some for many years. Each of the prodigies had received national or international recognition for a specific skill, such as math or music. All took tests to confirm their exceptional skills.

What they found here was just an indication that there's something similar in the genetic makeup of prodigies and their family members with autism. There's a lot more that needs to be studied, Bartlett said.

The new study appears online in the journal Human Heredity.