Recent studies in the field of etiology of autism
In March 2021, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that one in 54 children with autism spectrum disorder is among 8-year-olds. This number is higher than the previous statistics, which was one in 59 cases. And unfortunately, the number of people with autism is increasing.
As the rate of autism disorder increases, the scientific community has become increasingly interested in discovering the factors associated with autism.
Some scientists speculate that genetic changes may explain autism, while others believe that environmental factors are a more reliable source of justification and play a more important role, such as exposure to various toxins. The type of neurological disorder plays a role, and some other researchers believe that intestinal microbiome imbalance may play a role in the development of this disorder.
For this reason, the latest research on autism has focused on the factors associated with this type of developmental neurological disorder. A longitudinal study is currently underway with funding from CDC agencies to learn more about the potential risk factors for autism. In this article, part of the content inferred from the above research is collected. These institutions are part of the research and epidemiology network for autism and developmental disabilities and focus on children aged 2 to 5 years.
One of the goals of these studies is to explore the health status of children with autism spectrum disorder and neurotypics and the factors associated with the risk of developing ASD.
Another aim of this study was to distinguish and compare the physical and behavioral characteristics of children with autism, children with other developmental conditions, and children without this diagnosis.
This ongoing research has provided several published studies. Recent results suggest a link between ASD and maternal exposure to ozone pollution during the third trimester of pregnancy. Therefore, one of the effective factors in causing autism is airborne ozone layer pollution during pregnancy.
The researchers also found that exposure to another type of air pollution called particulate matter during the first year of life also increases a baby's risk of developing ASD.
Another method in this study involves examining the types of genes that can play a role in ASD.
A recent DNA study analyzed the genetic pattern of more than 35,584 people worldwide, including 11,986 people with autism. Scientists have identified differences in 102 genes that are associated with an increased risk of developing ASD. The researchers also found that 53 of the identified genes were more associated with autism than other genetic disorders.
As the research expanded, the team found that people with autism who had specific types of ASD genes showed higher cognitive function than people with autism who did not.
The types of genes that scientists have identified are mainly located in the cerebral cortex, which is responsible for complex behaviors.
These species may play a role in how neurons in the brain connect, as well as help turn other genes on or off, a possible factor that may help justify autism. As a result, genetic factors play an important role in the development of autism symptoms.
Biological research has uncovered some interesting findings that link certain types of cellular disorders to ASD.
Scientists at the Liber Brain Development Institute in Baltimore, MD, have discovered a decrease in myelin integrity, a protective sheath of nerve cells in the brain in mice with ASD.
The study, published in Nature NeuroscienceTrusted Source, showed a gene-type defect in oligodendrocytesTrusted Source, the cells that produce myelin.
This defect may lead to insufficient production of myelin in nerve cells, disrupting neural connections in the brain, and impairing brain growth.
Using mouse models, researchers are now looking at therapies that could increase myelin in the brain to see if it improves these ASD-related behaviors.
This challenge can make a huge difference in improving the incidence of autism.
Gastrointestinal microbiome is another area of interest for researchers looking for factors that contribute to autism.
Several studies in authoritative sources have shown an association between an imbalance in the intestinal biome and the development of autism. There is also growing evidence that balancing the gut microbial population can help correct these inequalities and improve some of the symptoms and unwanted behaviors associated with autism.
A 2017 study published in the journal MicrobiomeTrusted Source examined whether treatment for microbiota transmission (MTT) in children with autism improves intestinal microbiota diversity and autism-related symptoms. The researchers found that after MTT treatment, participants experienced more intestinal bacterial diversity.
Reduction of gastrointestinal symptoms (GI) as well as improvement of language, social interaction and behavioral symptoms were also observed in participants treated with MTT.
In a 2-year follow-up study, researchers found that participants who received MTT treatment still experienced fewer digestive problems and had some improvement in autism-related symptoms.
Scientists have also recently discovered a possible link between genes and the gut microbiome.
A study released earlier this month found that mice lacking the autism-related gene CNTNAP2 had an abnormal population of germs in their gut. They also showed some social behaviors similar to those seen in some people with autism.
Diagnosing autism can be challenging, especially in very young children. A credible research source has shown that early diagnosis and treatment interventions can lead to better long-term outcomes for people with autism.
For this reason, the scientific community is trying to find innovative diagnostic methods that can help diagnose this type of neurological disorder earlier.
Hearing tests may be one of these diagnostic tools. Researchers at Harvard Medical School in Boston, MA and the University of Miami analyzed data from auditory brainstem response (ABR) tests typically given to infants immediately after birth in Florida.
The team then matched the data with records from the Florida Department of Education of those children who were later diagnosed with a developmental disorder.
The results showed that infants who were later diagnosed with ASD had slower brain responses to sounds in ABR tests performed at birth.
The study is published in the journal Autism Research Source Trusted.
Researchers hope to do more studies to determine if an ABR test can help diagnose autism at an early age.
Further advances in cognition of autism include new research on biomarkers.
When analyzing data from the Child Autism Metabolism Project (CAMP), a team of researchers found autism-related metabolites in 357 children aged 18 to 48 months.
After optimizing these metabolites and the metabolites previously detected in screening tests, the autism research team identified 53% as trusted by the participants in the CAMP study.
The author of this study is Elizabeth L. R. Donnelly from Stemina Exploration Biomarker in Madison, WI, told MNT:
Our approach to understanding the biology of autism is revolutionary in the way autism is diagnosed and treated. Autism is diagnosed through behavioral assessment, but there are underlying biological causes for neurodevelopmental disorders that lead to autistic behaviors.
Donley said the differences his team identified in the metabolism of children with autism could provide insight into more specific treatment options if needed.
The first metabolic subtypes we published from our clinical study may be addressable with a supplement. Donley explained that the biology of other subtypes may be a target for drugs or new indications for existing drugs.
"Our approach identifies where disorder occurs in child biology, so that therapies that address this biology are prioritized, rather than just trying everything and everything carelessly," he added.
The research team has already approved the first three of the five planned panels that can identify subtypes of autism-related metabolism. They expect to approve the remaining panels this year and begin the first clinical trial of a couple therapy.
As the prevalence of autism increases, scientists are working to discover the factors associated with this type of neurosis.
Their hope is that once the causes are identified, researchers will be able to develop screening tests for early detection and more targeted therapies for autism-related symptoms and health conditions.
The team then matched the data with records from the Florida Department of Education of those children who were later diagnosed with a developmental disorder.
The results showed that infants who were later diagnosed with ASD had slower brain responses to sounds in ABR tests performed at birth.
The study is published in the journal Autism Research Source Trusted.
Researchers hope to do more studies to determine if an ABR test can help diagnose autism at an early age.
Further advances in cognition of autism include new research on biomarkers.
When analyzing data from the Child Autism Metabolism Project (CAMP), a team of researchers found autism-related metabolites in 357 children aged 18 to 48 months.
After optimizing these metabolites and the metabolites previously detected in screening tests, the autism research team identified 53% as trusted by the participants in the CAMP study.
The author of this study is Elizabeth L. R. Donnelly from Stemina Exploration Biomarker in Madison, WI, told MNT:
Our approach to understanding the biology of autism is revolutionary in the way autism is diagnosed and treated. Autism is diagnosed through behavioral assessment, but there are underlying biological causes for neurodevelopmental disorders that lead to autistic behaviors.
Donley said the differences his team identified in the metabolism of children with autism could provide insight into more specific treatment options if needed.
The first metabolic subtypes we published from our clinical study may be addressable with a supplement. Donley explained that the biology of other subtypes may be a target for drugs or new indications for existing drugs.
"Our approach identifies where disorder occurs in child biology, so that therapies that address this biology are prioritized, rather than just trying everything and everything carelessly," he added.
The research team has already approved the first three of the five planned panels that can identify subtypes of autism-related metabolism. They expect to approve the remaining panels this year and begin the first clinical trial of a couple therapy.
As the prevalence of autism increases, scientists are working to discover the factors associated with this type of neurosis.
Their hope is that once the causes are identified, researchers will be able to develop screening tests for early detection and more targeted therapies for autism-related symptoms and health conditions.
