One of the enduring mysteries in financial markets right now is why they have been so bulletproof. Stocks, currencies and corporate bonds have weathered a series of shocks, from a worst-case-scenario Middle East energy squeeze to rogue and potentially deadly robots.

Phelan-McDermid syndrome is a rare genetic disorder caused by a deletion or mutation involving the SHANK3 gene on chromosome 22. It can lead to a broad range of medical, intellectual, and behavioral challenges. Most people with the syndrome also meet the criteria for autism spectrum disorder, and changes affecting SHANK3 are believed to account for as many as one percent of autism spectrum disorder cases.