Autism And Zinc Deficiency Early In Life Link Researcher's Say!

The emergence of autism in children has not only been linked to genes encoding synaptic proteins—among others—but also environmental insults such as zinc deficiency. Although it is unclear whether zinc deficiency contributes to autism, scientists have now defined in detail a possible mechanistic link. Their research shows how zinc shapes the connections or 'synapses' between brain cells that form during early development, via a complex molecular machinery encoded by autism risk genes. Read more...

Autism is associated with zinc deficiency in early development—now a study links the two. Medical Xpress.
November 9, 2018, Frontiers

Particulate Matter In Air Pollution Linked To Autism!

When it comes to figuring out the environmental causes of developmental problems in kids, the landscape is tricky. But a new study has found that exposure to certain types of air pollution early in childhood can significantly raise the risk of developing symptoms associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).Read more.

Poor Air Quality Is Actually Linked to Autism, New Study Shows. MIKE MCRAE. ScienceAlert.com 7 NOV 2018

More Autism Genes Identified!

"Another 34 genes have been linked with autism spectrum disorder, according to a presentation yesterday (October 16) at the American Society of Human Genetics annual meeting in San Diego." Read more...

More Autism Genes Identified. Ashley Yeager. The Scientist. October 18, 2018. 

Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Are More Likely To Have A Child With Autism!

"Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are more likely than other women to have an autistic child, according to an analysis of NHS data carried out by a team at Cambridge University’s Autism Research Centre. The research is published in the journal Translational Psychiatry." Read more..... 

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Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome More Likely to Have a Child with Autism. Neuroscience News and Research. August 3, 2018. https://www.technologynetworks.com/neuroscience/news/women-with-polycystic-ovary-syndrome-more-likely-to-have-a-child-with-autism-307165

First Biomarker Link Between DDT and Autism in the Offspring!

"A study of more than 1 million pregnancies in Finland reports that elevated levels of a metabolite of the banned insecticide DDT in the blood of pregnant women are linked to increased risk for autism in the offspring." Read article...

 First biomarker evidence of DDT-autism link, Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health . Medical Press. August 16, 2018 https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-08-biomarker-evidence-ddt-autism-link.html

Mold Toxin Causes Oxidative Stress, Inhibits Nrf2 and Regulates Autism Genes!

Ochratoxin A is a mycotoxin produced from Aspergillus and Penicillium species. It is commonly found in contaminated food products, water damaged buildings and heating ducts. Currently, it is one of 20 mycotoxins that is monitored in food. Ochratoxin A is known to be nephrotoxic, immunotoxic, and carcinogenic. Therefore, it is a health concern in both humans and animals. 

Generally, Ochratoxin A has been found to induce oxidative stress, inflammation and psychiatric conditions. In males, it is especially neurotoxic. Genes that it upregulates have an effect on autism-regulated genes that decrease Nrf2 and cause high levels of reactive species and oxidative damage.  Research has shown that males are more commonly effected because the genes are found on the x chromosome. 

Mezzelani A. (2017) Ochratoxin A and Epigenetics. In: Patel V., Preedy V. (eds) Handbook of Nutrition, Diet, and Epigenetics. Springer, Cham

Nrf2 deficiency exacerbates ochratoxin A-induced toxicity in vitro and in vivo. Toxicology, Vol. 389 (15 August 2017), pp. 42-52 by Agnieszka Loboda, Anna Stachurska, Mateusz Sobczak, et al. www.citeulike.org/user/kimberlykramer2015/article/14620230

Detection of mycotoxins in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. Toxins, Vol. 5, No. 4. (11 April 2013), pp. 605-617 by Joseph H. Brewer, Jack D. Thrasher, David C. Straus, Roberta A. Madison, Dennis Hooper

A review of the diagnosis and treatment of Ochratoxin A inhalational exposure associated with human illness and kidney disease including focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Journal of environmental and public health, Vol. 2012 (2012), doi:10.1155/2012/835059 by Janette H. Hope, Bradley E. Hope

Exposure to Mold Toxins May Contribute to Autism Spectrum Disorder!

A recent study has shown that mold and mycotoxin may contribute to neurodevelopmental diseases including autism spectrum disorders.

Effects of Mycotoxins on Neuropsychiatric Symptoms and Immune Processes. Clinical therapeutics, Vol. 40, No. 6. (June 2018), pp. 903-917 by Aarane M. Ratnaseelan, Irene Tsilioni, Theoharis C. Theoharides

Neonatal Inflammation May Serve as a Biomarker for Autism!

Neonatal inflammation could potentially be used as a biomarker for the risk of developing autism, researchers said here.

Inflammation at Birth May Put Kids at Risk for Autism. Karen Blum. Medpage Today! May 16, 2016. http://www.medpagetoday.com/Neurology/Autism/57931

Each Case of Autism Caused By A Number of Different Environmental and Genetic Factors!

.....we know ASD is actually a group of lifelong conditions that can arise from a complex combination of multiple genetic and environmental factors. In the same way that each person with ASD has a unique personality and profile of talents and disabilities, each also has a distinct developmental history shaped by a specific combination of genetic and environmental factors.

 On the Brink of Breakthroughs in Diagnosing and Treating Autism. Geraldine Dawson. Scientific American. May 9, 2016.   http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/mind-guest-blog/on-the-brink-of-breakthroughs-in-diagnosing-and-treating-autism/

There May Be Overlap In Genetic Variations In Bipolar Disorder With Autism and Schizophrenia!



There may be an overlap between rare genetic variations linked to bipolar disorder (BD) and those implicated in schizophrenia and autism, new research suggests.

University of Iowa Health Care. (2016, May 4). Bipolar disorder has genetic links to autism, study shows: Findings from a two-pronged approach add to evidence of shared genetic susceptibility across major psychiatric disorders. ScienceDaily. Retrieved May 5, 2016 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/05/160504174903.htm

Autism and Spraying for Mosquitoes May Be Linked!



A new study finds a correlation between the aerial spraying of pesticides to kill mosquitoes and an increased risk of developmental delays and autism among kids.

 The Link Between Mosquito Spraying and Autism. Alexandra Sifferlin. Time.com. April 30, 2016. http://time.com/4313156/mosquito-spraying-autism-pesticides/?xid=time_socialflow_facebook

Could new class of fungicides play a role in autism, neurodegenerative diseases?



Could new class of fungicides play a role in autism, neurodegenerative diseases?: A class of commonly used fungicides has been found that produce gene expression changes similar to those in people with autism and neurodegenerative conditions, including Alzheimer's disease and Huntington's disease.

People With Autism Can Die Up to 30 Years Early

Early death as a result of autism has been branded a "hidden crisis," after a study from Sweden's Karolinska Institutet - published in The British Journal of Psychiatry - reveals individuals with the disorder may die up to 30 years earlier than people without the condition.

 Autism: early death risk a 'hidden crisis'. Honor Whiteman. Medical News Today. March 21, 2016. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/308160.php?utm_campaign=trueAnthem:+Trending+Content&utm_content=56f0632b04d30145c179c98d&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=facebook

Fine Particulate Air Pollution Linked to Autism!

"Exposure to fine particulate air pollution during pregnancy through the first two years of the child's life may be associated with an increased risk of a child developing autism spectrum disorder, a condition that affects one in 68 children, according to an investigation of children in southwestern Pennsylvania."

 University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences. (2015, May 21). Fine particulate air pollution linked to risk of childhood autism. ScienceDaily. Retrieved May 22, 2015 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/05/150521121049.htm

Another Study Says No link Between Autism and Vaccines!

"A study of more than 95,000 children in the US has supported what almost two decades of scientific research has already been telling us - the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine (MMR) is safe and effective and is in no way associated with a heightened risk of developing autism spectrum disorders (ASD)."

Study of 95,000 children finds no link between MMR vaccines and autism. Science Alert. BEC Crew. April 22, 2015. http://www.sciencealert.com/massive-studying-of-95-000-children-finds-no-link-between-mmr-vaccines-and-autism