Rare syndrome sheds light on autism

Autism and a developmental disorder marked by hyper-sociability and musical skill may be flipsides of the same genetic coin, scientists say.

Williams syndrome is a rare condition marked by "elfin" facial features. Children with the disorder are unusually cheerful and at ease with strangers. They have strong language skills and can be overly sociable, with a "cocktail party" personality. In addition, they have an unusual aptitude for music. Autistic children, on the other hand, have problems empathising, communicating and socialising with others.

Research from Yale University has now shown the same small section of DNA appears to be involved in both autism and Williams syndrome, but in opposite ways. Published in the journal Neuron, the research suggests autism is caused by many small genetic variations.