Researchers at UVA Health recently published a study regarding autism risk and the intersection of genetics and environment. Traditional studies often look only at direct inheritance, but this new project examines indirect genetic effects. The team developed a tool called PGS-tri to analyze genetic data from over 18,000 families. By comparing the DNA of children with their parents, scientists found that a mother’s genetic profile influences her child’s risk even when those specific genes are not passed down.
This research highlights how complex these factors are. No single gene determines autism. Instead, genetic factors and environmental influences create an web of interaction that shapes development. The PGS-tri tool helps researchers map these relationships more effectively than previous methods.
Dr. Ziqiao Wang, an assistant professor in the Department of Genome Sciences at UVA, explains that the work provides a look at polygenic scores. This approach accounts for the combination of many genetic effects alongside environmental triggers. The goal is to better understand these webs of influence.
Parents should note that this tool is not for individual prediction. It is a scientific instrument designed for broad population research. If you have questions about your own child’s development, the best path remains speaking with a pediatrician to seek a formal evaluation. Early support stays the most effective way to help children thrive.