few examples of loci that have been studied are the 17q21 region, the 3p24-26 locus, PTEN, 15q11.2–q13 and deletion in the 22q11.2 area. Homozygosity mapping in pedigrees with shared ancestry and autism incidence has recently implicated the following candidate genes: PCDH10, DIA1 (formerly known as C3ORF58), NHE9, CNTN3, SCN7A, and RNF8. Several of these genes appeared to be targets of MEF2, one of the transcription factors known to be regulated by neuronal activity and that itself has also recently been implicated as an autism-related disorder candidate gene. References Further reading An excellent summary of the state and possible future directions of autism genetics research as of late 2007. Advocates common disease rare allele (CDRA) over polygenic approaches. Focuses on attempts to match genes to behavior. External links Autism Genetic Resource Exchange (AGRE) – 'the world's first collaborative gene bank for autism' Genetics of autism Medical genetics Biological psychiatry Behavioral neuroscience