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Autism

Autism:

(A complex developmental brain disorder known as Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD), Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS), or Asperger Syndrome.  Autism affects 1 in every 110 births in the United States, and almost 1 in 70 boys (Autism Society).

Characteristics of Autism

  • Impairments in communication
  • Impairments in social interactions
  • Repetitive behaviors
  • Lifelong
  • Non-progressive
  • Males are 4 times more likely to be affected

Genetic or Not?

  • In about 90% cases of Autism, the cause is unknown.
  • There is no conclusive evidence of Autism being related to vaccines, mother’s illness in pregnancy, the child’s diet early in life
  • There is however evidence that genetics play a role in Autism development.  For example, it is more likely for identical twins to have Autism.  Also, there is sibling recurrence for Autism.  For example:

 

* Figure based on data from “The UCLA-University of Utah epidemiologic survey of autism: recurrence risk estimates and genetic counseling” Am J Psychiatry 1989; 146:1032-1036

—  Because more males have Autism compared to females, there is a suggestion that the genes that cause Autism may lie on the X chromosome.

—  Also because there is a large variability of symptoms within individuals with Autism, there may be many faulty genes that cause the severity of autistic behaviors.

—  Researches have identified a number of genes that are associated with the disorder as well as irregularities in regions of the brain.  Some studies also show that individuals with Autism have abnormal levels of serotonin or other neurotransmitters in the brain. 

—  This is ALL still being researched.

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This entry was posted on November 11, 2011, 6:37 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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