Do the genetic data add to the overall hypothesized neurophysiological mechanism, or are the data less focused? In the end, RELN, 5 HTT and EN2 may not be major genes in the etiology of autism, either singly or in concert, but they are important models for pointing out the difficulties in these studies so that advances in understanding the genetic and developmental basis of autism can be attained. The gene discussed is RELN; the disease is autism.