A single gene may be responsible for autism and gastrointestinal disorders when both issues are present in an individual, according to research published this week in the journal Pediatrics.

Stomach and intestinal problems are three times more common among people with autism than the rest of the population. And according to the research, a gene called MET may be the reason. In individuals studied who have both autism and gastrointestinal problems, a variation of this gene was common. The same variation was not found in people with autism who have no gastrointestinal issues.

This could mean that people across the autism spectrum share characteristics, but develop autism in different ways, reports USA Today. To read more click here.

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