Autism and Absolute Pitch 

This project was based on the hypothesis that there are common genetic factors involved in autism and a rare cognitive ability in normal subjects known as absolute pitch (also called “perfect pitch”). This research utilized an internet-based test which could detect absolute pitch ability without the need to know conventional musical designations for pitch. Using this test, individuals with autism and their family members were formally tested for absolute pitch ability. Researchers investigated whether genes that may carry predisposition to absolute pitch are also involved in genetic predisposition to autism. This project provided insight into the genetics of autism by studying a readily measurable trait (absolute pitch) to identify candidate genes.