New Research: Environmental Factors found in Autism

Click here to read the New York Times article: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/05/health/research/05autism.html
 For more details from the original article, click here: http://archpsyc.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/archgenpsychiatry.2011.76

A new study implicates environmental factors in the cause of autism (ASD, Asperger's and related disorders). By "environmental factors" they mean conditions for the fetus while in the womb.  These conditions, the researchers say, are as at least as important as overall genetic factors.

Researchers say that, "This is a very significant study because it confirms that genetic factors are involved in the cause of the disorder....but it shirts the focus to the possibility that environmental factors could also be really important."

This was a twin study. 192 pairs of identical twins were drawn from California data bases.  At least one twin in each pair had the classic form of autism, extreme social withdrawal, communications problems and repetitive behaviours. Identical twins share 100 percent of their genes. The study found that autism occurred in both children 77 percent of the time when they were males and 36 percent with females.  Mathematical models suggest only 38 percent of the cases could be attributed to genetic factors, compared with 90 percent from previous studies. Even more surprising, shared environmental factors appeared to be at work in 58 percent of the cases.

The rate of autism occurring in siblings who are not twins is much lower, suggesting that the conditions the twins shared in the womb, rather than what they were exposed to after birth ( vaccines... again show not to be a cause) contributed to the development of autism.

There was a second study that showed an elevated risk of autism in children whose mothers took a popular type of antidepressant during the year before delivery. The authors assure mothers that the risk is still very low.  Speak with your doctor directly if you have concerns.

These two articles are considered "game changers" and will redirect studies to what is going on in terms of prenatal and perinatal factors with respect to autism susceptibility.

As the "fear factor" of the anti-science and conspiracy crowd around individuals like Jenny McCarthy and the former Dr. Wakefield  (see :http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/index.php/anti-vaccine-warriors-vs-research-ethics/)  lose their credibility with the public, more important and actual science based research can now become the focus of the publics attention. There may be environmental factors, but they are not what we have been told. We urgently need to refocus research efforts and monies, but this time lets let scientist guide the direction of the inquiry rather  than a former model, a movie comedian and a defrocked MD.

For  information on autism treatment your welcome to view my web page at: http://www.relatedmindsbc.com/autism or at http://www.relatedmindsbc.com/  General information about my practice can be found at: http://www.bcpsychologist.org/users/jimroche or at http://Therapists.Psychologytoday.com/70682