Autism Research Tool Uncovers How Nature, Nurture Shape Children’s Risk
UVA researcher Ziqiao Wang and Johns Hopkins colleagues developed PGS-TRI, a statistical tool analyzing family DNA trios to separate genetic and environmental influences on autism risk. Tested on over 18,000 families, it confirmed polygenic score accuracy varies by ancestry, linked maternal genetics to autism risk, and identified the CADM2 gene as a potential prevention target.