Pasteurdon : fund research to better understand autism

BONY/SIPA

Published the 13.10.2017 at 08: 00

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Institute Pasteurautismerecherchegénétique

“Tomorrow, we will be less sick, and we have sought “. It is with a touch of humour that the 11th edition of Pasteurdon was launched on 12 October. For four days, the Pasteur Institute appealed to the generosity of the French to advance medical research.

For this international research centre, donations from the public are essential. On an annual budget of $ 319 million, nearly $ 115 million from gifts or bequests of individuals or businesses. Funds that directly benefit 130 units of research like that of Thomas Bourgeron who is trying to better understand autism, a syndrome that affects more than 500 000 people in France.

His unit “human Genetics and cognitive functions” is the first in the world to have identified genes linked to the syndrome in 2003, then in 2007. Since then, more than a hundred of mutated genes have been discovered.

Disruption of neuronal connections

A large part of these genes play a role in the formation of areas of contact between neurons, also called synapses. Structures essential for the proper functioning of the brain, as they allow the neurons to communicate. “Today, genetic factors are the causes the most robust of autism spectrum disorders “, said Thomas Bourgeron at Pourquoidocteur.

These mutations would explain why the children, but also adults, with this disease, have difficulties in establishing social interactions, communication and restricted interests or stereotyped.

Nevertheless, these disorders vary from one autistic person to another. For example, they do not present any disorder, self-aggressive, or a developmental disability severe. These differences between individuals are not related to a single mutation in a gene, but rather the combination of several genetic abnormalities.

Listen…

Thomas Bourgeron, head of unit, human Genetics and cognitive functions, Institute Pasteur : “you Know all of these mutations would allow us to group individuals according to their genetic cause, which would allow us to assess the impact of a mutation… “