Autism is a mysterious and devastating disease that impairs a child’s language skills and robs them of their ability for social interaction, even with their parents and siblings. This tragic illness affects one in 150 children in the United States alone and remains a frustrating puzzle for medical science. That is, until now.

There is new evidence suggesting the answer to that puzzle may be in the way brain cells, or neurons, connect with one another.

In two critical studies, researchers found genetic variations that are significantly more common in people with autism. They also showed what are called small “mistakes” in a DNA segment involved with cell communication. By identifying this pathway for the disease to flourish, researchers may now focus on a genetic or biological intervention.

The research compared the genomes—or complex system of DNA coding—of thousands of autistic people with those free of the disorder. It’s the first time that geneticists have found a link between autism and DNA and may prove beneficial in diagnosing the disease and establishing an effective treatment.

This may prove particularly important because of the recent surge in reported autism cases, which may be because of heightened publicity and awareness, worsening environmental factors, or something else entirely.

The disease gained wider recognition with the general public because of the popular movie “Rain Man,” whose leading character played by Dustin Hoffman suffered from autism. Since that time, many pseudoscientific explanations and unproven treatments have abounded, as the medical community has been unable to come up with a specific cause or treatment.