HOXA1 gene variants influence head growth rates in humans

We previously described a significant association between the HOXA1 G218 allele and increased head circumference in autism [Conciatori et al. (2004); Biol Psychiatry 55:413-419]. The present study reveals identical effects also in normal children. HOXA1 A218G alleles and sex explain as much as 10.9 and 6.8% of the variance in head circumference in 142 pediatric controls and in 191 autistic children, aged 3-16 years (F = 6.777, 3 and 141 df, P < 0.001 and F = 5.588, 3 and 190 df, P < 0.01, respectively). Instead, no association is found in 183 adult controls and in 35 pediatric fragile-X patients. Therefore HOXA1 A218G alleles significantly influence head growth rates, but not final head size, in normal human development. This influence does not differ between normal and autistic children, whereas the lack of FMRP seemingly overwhelms HOXA1 effects in fragile-X patients.