SHANK2 and autism: In addition, previous genetic studies have reported that individuals affected with autism carry mutations or structural variants in several genes associated with synaptic formation and function, including NRXN1 (Neurexin1), NLGN3 (Neuroligin3), SHANK2 (SH3 and multiple ankyrin repeat domains 2), and SHANK3 (SH3 and multiple ankyrin repeat domains 3)8–13.