From the Journals

Autism Trajectories: What the Data Suggest

Two genetic factors may shape autism’s age of diagnosis and mental health overlap. 

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A study published in Nature explores autism's genetic architecture, highlighting two correlated genetic factors influencing the age of diagnosis. Utilizing longitudinal data from three birth cohorts, researchers identified two behavioral trajectories: an 'early-childhood-emergent' path with stable difficulties and a 'late-childhood-emergent' path with increasing challenges. Genome-wide association studies reveal that common variants account for about 11% of variance in diagnostic age, with findings indicating distinct genetic links to other psychiatric traits and varying correlations based on cohort demographics.

Original Source(s)

Autism Trajectories: What the Data Suggest

Two genetic factors may shape autism’s age of diagnosis and mental health overlap. 

  • by Kerri Miller

  • October 3, 2025

  • 3 min

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