Underestimated environmental factors contributing to autism spectrum disorders

Environmental factors have been increasingly identi ed as the cause of the current high prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Objective: The purpose of this study is to understand parents’ perceptions regarding environmental in uence and autism. Methods: We conducted individual, face-to-face interviews with parents of children with ASD in Eastern North Carolina. Results: Our sample is comprised of 25 parents of children with autism with an average age of 39.08 and 68% were mothers. Our data indicated that 19 (76%) parents believed that environmental factors impacted the development of their children’s autism, half of whom indicated >50% of influence. Among these environmental triggers, food and water (52%), air pollution (40%), pesticides and cleaning products (20%) were the most identied contributing factors associated with the onset of autism. Conclusions: Our findings reflected some unmet needs to improve parental awareness of environmental triggers of ASD.

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To what extent do environmental factors contribute to the occurrence of autism spectrum disorders?

Journal of Pediatric Neurosciences ◽

10.4103/1817-1745.147610 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. 297 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Annio Posar ◽

Paola Visconti

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽

Environmental Factors ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorders

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Epigenetic Effect of Environmental Factors on Autism Spectrum Disorders

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph13050504 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 13 (5) ◽

pp. 504 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Takeo Kubota ◽

Kazuki Mochizuki

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽

Environmental Factors ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Epigenetic Effect ◽

Spectrum Disorders

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Abnormal mTOR Activity in Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric and MIA-Associated Autism Spectrum Disorders

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms23020967 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 23 (2) ◽

pp. 967

Author(s):

Ekaterina A. Trifonova ◽

Zakhar S. Mustafin ◽

Sergey A. Lashin ◽

Alex V. Kochetov

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽

Environmental Factors ◽

Behavioral Problems ◽

Early Onset ◽

Mammalian Target Of Rapamycin ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Mtor Signaling ◽

Spectrum Disorders ◽

Mtor Activity

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by the early onset of communication and behavioral problems. ASD is highly heritable; however, environmental factors also play a considerable role in this disorder. A significant part of both syndromic and idiopathic autism cases could be attributed to disorders caused by mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)-dependent translation deregulation. This narrative review analyzes both bioinformatic and experimental evidence that connects mTOR signaling to the maternal autoantibody-related (MAR) autism spectrum and autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders simultaneously. In addition, we reconstruct a network presenting the interactions between the mTOR signaling and eight MAR ASD genes coding for ASD-specific maternal autoantibody target proteins. The research discussed in this review demonstrates novel perspectives and validates the need for a subtyping of ASD on the grounds of pathogenic mechanisms. The utter necessity of designing ELISA-based test panels to identify all antibodies related to autism-like behavior is also considered.

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