Causes of Autism

Researchers at UC Davis Health System have linked a mother's age has been linked to the risk of having a chlid with autism, regardless of the father's age.  The incremental risk of having a child with autism incrased by 18% for every five year increase in the mother's age.  A 40 year old woman's risk of having a chlid with autism was 50% higher than a woman who was between the ages of 25-29.

A few research groups are finding that roughly 5% of children with Autism have an underlying mitochondria problem, but it is unclear whether this is the primary cause of the disorder. 

"This contributes to this general idea that you need multiple hits in order to get autism," notes Ricardo Dolmetsch, assistant professor of neurobiology at Stanford University School of Medicine.

A study published in the Journal of Toxicology reports that children with higher levels of toxic metals in their urine - such as lead and antimony - had more severe autism and that these toxic metals may contrubte to the seriousness of the disorder.  Sixty-three children aged 3-8 participated in the study, none had mercury fillings and all were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders.

Researchers at Children's Hospital in Boston corroborate previous studies suggesting that autism spectrum disorder (ASD) results from a miswiring of connections in the developing brain which leads to improper flow of information.

Researchers discovered this as they were studying TSC (tuberous sclerosis complex) of whom 25-50% also have autism.  The study looked at the retinal connections to the brain and the scientists speculate that in autism, wiring may be abnormal in the areas of the brain involved in social cognition.

A number of recent studies point to the increased incidence of neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease, in the United States.

In the past, studies have looked at lead concentrations in the blood, not in the bone.  However, a new study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health and the University of Michigan School of Public Health analyzed the association between the amound of lead accumulated in bones and mortality.  It is known that most of the lead circulating within the body is stored in bone matter and remains there for years, however, lead remains in the blood for between 30-60 days.  This is important since adverse effects from lead, particularly on the cardiovascular system, show up ov

Six Cases of Childhool Lead Poisoning in Maine have been tracked back to lead dust on the children's car seats.  The car seats were not the source of the lead, it was lead dust tracked in from family members.  Homes of the family members were also checked for lead and their home environments demonstrated to be free of lead.  The EPA acceptable lead dust standard is less than 40 mcg/dl inside the home, however no lead standards for vehicles or child safety seats have been set.