Genetic Causes Of Autism

While genes play a role in the development or triggering of autism, they do not occupy the entire picture. Many other factors, termed as “environmental factors”, also play a significant role in the early development of autism. What the term “environmental” includes may be debatable. What falls into the category of environmental factors must be identified in order to prevent misleading pretenses. Throughout the research of autism, the word “environmental” refers to any influence beyond

Symptoms typically are apparent before children turn 3 years old. (7). When individuals are born as an identical twin or have first degree relatives who have autism, they are automatically at a higher risk for developing it themselves. Other risk factors include immune dysregulation, altered short chain fatty acids, genetic mutations involving the metabolism of vitamin D, infections, teratogens, or antibodies maternally. For every 68 boys who are born, 1 will likely have autism, as boys are about five times more likely to present with autism than girls are. (3). When the brains of patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder are studied and compared with those who do not have the disorder, there are obvious differences. In the Autism Spectrum Disorder brain, there are alterations to the striatal circuits, a dysfunction in canonical neural circuits, and an abnormal basal ganglion connectivity. These striatal dysfunctions of the brain are evidence as to why abnormal behaviors occur in autistic patients (repetitive grooming, stereotypic motor routines, and deficits in social interaction and decision-making). There may even be evidence that links genetics to these specific neural circuits. (8). When MRI’s are taken on young autistic patients, the hyperplasia of their cerebral cortex can often be seen. Because the frontal and temporal lobes are important for social functioning and language development, these anatomical anomalies are likely to underlie the pathophysiology of autism.

With the rate of autism being diagnosed on the rise, the amount of research and interest in the disorder has risen as well. Some research suggests that over the past two decades the occurrence of autism has increased from approximately 2-5 per 10,000 births to about 1-5 per 1,000 births (Acosta & Pearl, 2004; Fatemi et al., 2012). Still others report that the occurrence is as high as 1 in 150 kids (Amaral, Schumann, & Nordhal, 2008). Even though the spectrum of autistic disorders has been studied since 1943, there have still not been any consistent nor persuasive causes or markers, either biological or clinical, identified with autism and its range of disorders (Santangelo & Tsatsanis, 2005). In fact, even with all of the advancements in genetic research technology and the increasing interest in autism, researchers can still only account for approximately 5-15% of autistic cases (Rogers et al., 2013).

There has been great discussion over the recent increase in Autism over the decades with no full explanation as to why. Scientists believe that both genetics and environment may play a role in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Studies suggest that ASD could be a result of disturbances in normal brain growth very early in development. These disruptions

Thus, concluding that the explanation of biological, psychodynamic and learning approaches does influence on gender development. Each of these approaches explains how gender is developed in their own way. From the biological approach, we found out that gender differences are seen as resulting from sex differences. In other words, women and men act, think and feel differently because of differences in how their brains work. These brain differences may result from chromosomal differences and may also be the result of hormonal differences.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is not one specific disorder, but a group of disorders that have similar behavioral characteristic, such as difficulty with communication and socialization. The cause of ASD is still unknown but there are studies that indicate there may a genetic or environmental component. More specifically, ASD can cause limitations in intellectual abilities as well as difficulties with attention and motor coordination. ASD is usually identified during the first three years of life and affects boys at a higher rate than girls (Autism Society). ASD actually occurs at five times a higher rate in boys than in girls, affecting as many as 1 in 54 boys as compared to 1 in 252 girls (Center for Disease Control and Prevention).

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a class of NDD affecting mostly males, which are largely idiopathic and display extensive variation in terms of phenotype, severity and degree of heritability [2]. It is postulated that the pathology of ASD is the result of a complex interaction between genetic predisposition and environmental risk factors, which disturb the developing brain [1]. ASD commonly involve deficits in social interaction and cognition, language, emotional learning and the presence of repetitive, stereotyped behaviours [1, 3, 4]. The brains of autistic children display reductions in long distance connectivity, abnormally regulated apoptosis and cell division, and increased inflammation [4].Additional studies have demonstrated gliosis, abnormal neuronal migration and

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental and neurological condition that affects individuals in the areas of social communication and social interaction, and it is also characterized by the presence of repetitive behaviors and language difficulties. Other characteristics include delays in reasoning and self help skills (Smith, 2011) p. 1037). Individuals with ASD vary widely in level of intelligence and may also exhibit other co-existing conditions such as intellectual disability, depression, and phobias (Nozomi, 2009). The disorder begins in early childhood, but is usually not diagnosed prior to the age of two to five years old or when a child enters school. In 2013, the Center for Disease Control reported that there was a major

The number of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders, commonly abbreviated as ASDs, is gradually increasing. Today, about one in sixty-eight children have been diagnosed with one of these four disorders, which is a huge increase from one in one hundred fifty, as seen in 2000 (“Data & Statistics” 1). ASDs often coincide with other developmental, psychiatric, neurological, chromosomal, and genetic diagnosis, such as an intellectual disability, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), epilepsy, Down syndrome, or cystic fibrosis (“Data & Statistics” 1). The four different types of ASDs are autistic disorder, also known as classical autism, Asperger’s syndrome, pervasive developmental disorder, not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS),

Autism Spectrum Disorder, or Autism, is a genetic disorder that now affects approximately one in sixty-eight children. Autism is a disorder that affects a childs ability to develop normally and communicate effectively. Autism is found in all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups (“Data & Statistics”). With modern treatments, it is possible for a child with autism to live a somewhat normal and healthy life.

In a research, (P. O. Towle et al. 2008), autism spectrum disorder is equally reported as a severe, often life-long disability, which significantly affects the individual, family, and educational and societal resources. Their understanding of autism research has increased rapidly in view of the fact that there has been newly developed research tactics in genetics, neuropsychology, and brain imaging.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental that includes disordersocial impairments, difficulty in communicating verbally and nonverbally, and restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped patterns of behavior. Autism was first diagnosed in the early 1940’s. Signs of Autism and diagnosis usually occur before the child becomes 3 years of age. Autism occurs in children about 1–2 per 1,000 people worldwide. It is diagnosed more in children that are boys rather than girls. The number of children diagnosed with Autism has drastically increased since the 1980’s with still, no known cause. Although, some scientists have come up with the theory that Autism may be hereditary or environmental causes.

Autism, like schizophrenia and mood disorders, includes many syndromes (Insel 2). Indeed, we should probably speak of the "autisms." Some of these autism's are single gene disorders, such as Fragile X, tuberous sclerosis, and Rett syndrome (Insel 3). While these rare genetic disorders account for less than 5 percent of children within the autism spectrum, children with any of these disorders are at high risk for autism, roughly a 30-fold higher risk than the general population and higher than any of the other known risk factors (Insel 3). Recent genomics research has discovered that many children diagnosed within the autism spectrum have other genetic mutations that have not yet been designated as named syndromes (Insel 4). Each of these mutations is rare, but in aggregate they may account for 10-20 percent or more of what we have been calling the autisms. Genetics will not identify the environmental factors, but it may reveal some of the many syndromes within the autism spectrum (as in other neurodevelopmental disorders), it can define risk (as in other medical disorders), and it should yield clues to the biology of autism (revealing potential targets for new treatments). In parallel we need to find environmental factors, recognizing that there will be many causes for the autisms and many roads to find them (Insel 3). Finally, an unavoidable insight from these new papers is that autism even when genetic may be

According to Sewell (2015), there is no single source of what causes autism. Scientists are looking into the idea that recent changes in genes or mutations could be causing the prevalence of autism; some of these rare mutations are being considered ample enough to be a sole cause of autism. As well, environmental factors swaying brain development in its juvenile stages are being investigated as another catalyst. (Sewell, 2015). However, it is becoming prevalent that autism is caused by a multitude of factors and combinations, which is why it is said that there is “no one type of autism” (Sewell,

There is growing evidence that the rapid rise in reported cases of autism is caused, and influenced equally, by genetic and environmental factors. Environmental factors include a broad range of influences as varied as parental age, birth complications and maternal nutrition at conception, vaccines and exposure to pollution during early brain development. Most genetic factors are considered in combination with environmental ones. It is believed that over time genetic changes brought on by the environment are passed on to future generations predisposing them to disorders as autism. While thousands of dollars and countless studies claim to have found a concrete link between environmental and genetic factors and the new