Gene, air pollution together spike autism risk
Quote:
The findings showed that environmental factors like exposure to air pollution (ozone, nitrogen oxide and particluate matter) contribute to the risk of autism.
Genetic factors like copy-number variation -- deletions and duplications of repeated DNA -- also lead to the development of autism.
According to the study, environmental factors like ozone, a harmful air pollutant at the ground level, can interact with genetic factors (copy number variation) to produce an even higher risk for autism than expected by adding the two risk factors, one that might not be found by studying the factors independently.
This large effect could be the result of the fact that ozone is an oxidising agent and is known to produce reactive oxygen species, like peroxides, that cause cellular stress and can alter cell function in many ways.
In the study, the researchers analysed 158 cases and 147 controls.
If this is true there would much more baby boomer autistics then Millennial and Generation Z autistics because many laws reduing pollution cars and industry have been passed since then. In the '60's and 70's there were regular bad smog events usually in the summer. I remember
a particularly bad one in November 1966. Also autism prevelence rates should be higher in urban areas
It must be remembered that autism was rarely diagnosed in the 60's and that today knowledge of autism and access to autism diagnosis can be lacking in rural areas.
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Professionally Identified and joined WP August 26, 2013
DSM 5: Autism Spectrum Disorder, DSM IV: Aspergers Moderate Severity.
“My autism is not a superpower. It also isn’t some kind of god-forsaken, endless fountain of suffering inflicted on my family. It’s just part of who I am as a person”. - Sara Luterman
27 Jun 2017, 4:18 am
