If it is caused by something else then what causes it?
Scientists aren’t certain what causes autism, but it’s likely that both genetics and environment play a role. Researchers have identified a number of genes associated with the disorder. Studies of people with autism have found irregularities in several regions of the brain. Other studies suggest that people with autism have abnormal levels of serotonin or other neurotransmitters in the brain. These abnormalities suggest that autism could result from the disruption of normal brain development early in fetal development caused by defects in genes that control brain growth and that regulate how neurons communicate with each other. While these findings are intriguing, they are preliminary and require further study. The theory that parental practices are responsible for autism has now been disproved.
What causes Autism? Is it caused by a DNA abnormality or something else?
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November 20th, 2009 at 6:20 am
Scientists aren’t certain what causes autism, but it’s likely that both genetics and environment play a role. Researchers have identified a number of genes associated with the disorder. Studies of people with autism have found irregularities in several regions of the brain. Other studies suggest that people with autism have abnormal levels of serotonin or other neurotransmitters in the brain. These abnormalities suggest that autism could result from the disruption of normal brain development early in fetal development caused by defects in genes that control brain growth and that regulate how neurons communicate with each other. While these findings are intriguing, they are preliminary and require further study. The theory that parental practices are responsible for autism has now been disproved.
References :
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/autism/detail_autism.htm#99643082
November 20th, 2009 at 7:02 am
A recent study showed that the age of the child’s father had a direct effect on how likely the child was to be autistic. The chance doubled for every decade older the father was. So I’d have to go with a chromosomal abnormality(s) they haven’t nailed down yet for most of them.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5768623
There’s also a cloud of suspicion hanging over ultrasound scans, because it’s already known it causes a very subtle form of brain damage because a higher number of scanned babies are born left handed.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/49000.php
The MMR is a non starter.
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November 20th, 2009 at 7:32 am
The cause of autism? No one knows.
Autism may be an epigenetic phenomenon (changes that are stable over rounds of cell division but do not involve underlying DNA sequence of the organism).
Twin concordance of autism is 36% to 91% for monozygotic twins and < 5% for dizygotic twins.
Folic acid may play a role in autism as it contributes the methyl groups involved in methylation.
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November 20th, 2009 at 7:53 am
its a neurodevelopmental disorder, meaning they think it occurs as the brain is developing in the womb. they have proposed a lot of causes including a morning sickness pill used in the 60s.
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