Scientists have found new autism genes by scanning the largest collection of families with multiple cases of autism ever assembled. The monumental task of studying the 1,200 families took more than 120 scientists from more than 50 institutions across 19 countries. The work, described in Nature Genetics, implicates a region of chromosome 11 and a specific gene called neurexin 1. Experts say the findings should help with finding new autism treatments.
One in four people with tinnitus initially thought the noises they could hear were coming from their surroundings, research has found. Many people with the condition had mistakenly complained to their local council about noise pollution. Tinnitus, which affects 4.7 million in the UK, is the medical term for any noise heard in the ears or in the head.
Ministers are facing defeat in the House of Lords over plans to allow mentally ill people to be detained even if this does not help their condition. The Mental Health Bill would mean people with severe personality disorders could be confined if judged to be a threat to themselves or others. The bill would also allow compulsory treatment in the community.
Scientists say the largest ever study into the genetic causes of autism has taken them closer than ever before to understanding the condition. Autism affects more than half a million people and their families in the UK alone.
Scientists are a step closer to finding what gives our children autism and television could be a factor. Researchers have shown early exposure to TV may be a trigger for the disorder and the screen has also been linked to short-sightedness and the early onset of puberty.
Two mothers whose children have a rare hip disorder have lobbied MPs at Westminster in their battle to change the rules on disabled parking badges. Helen Grindrod and Kelli-Ann Rushton's daughters both suffer from congenital hip displacia leaving them immobile and requiring regular hospital treatment. But due to the girls' age and type of disability, their mothers are not entitled to blue badges.
