October 28, 2024
- Researchers from the University of Toledo are investigating how environmental factors, such as exposure to pyrethroid insecticides, may interact with genetic predispositions to increase the risk of ASD. While many genetic variations are linked to autism, the team behind this research emphasizes that genetics alone cannot explain why some individuals develop the condition while others with the same variants do not. Their new NIH-funded study will explore this interaction by exposing prairie voles with a SHANK3 gene mutation—strongly associated with autism in humans—to deltamethrin, a widely used pesticide. Previous research in mice found that even low-level exposure to this chemical resulted in autism-like behaviors, such as hyperactivity, repetitive actions, and impaired learning, in offspring. The team’s new study will evaluate both genetically normal and SHANK3-mutated vole offspring for social, cognitive, and biological changes. With autism diagnoses steadily rising, the researchers suggest that environmental toxins may be contributing to the trend. This new research aims to uncover preventable environmental risks, offering new strategies for reducing ASD cases in future generations.
- A recent meta-analysis published in Nature Human Behaviour highlights that executive function delays—such as difficulties with attention, impulse control, switching focus, planning, organizing, and problem-solving—are common across neurodevelopmental conditions, including ADHD, autism and Tourette’s syndrome. These challenges impact learning, behavior, and development, affecting long-term academic outcomes, social relationships, mental health, and future employment. The research analyzed 180 studies over 45 years and found more similarities than differences in executive difficulties across conditions, suggesting that all children with neurodevelopmental disorders could benefit from similar supports. However, the current system ties interventions to specific diagnoses, limiting access to help, especially for families facing long wait times and assessment barriers. These findings emphasize the need for integrated research and services focused on shared needs, advocating for more cohesive support systems across education, health, and disability sectors to address the full range of developmental, mental, and social challenges.
- A new study has examined the link between prenatal exposure to particulate matter (PM2.5) from specific sources and the risk of ASD in over 300,000 mother-child pairs in southern California. The findings showed that PM2.5 from gasoline-powered vehicles (on- and off-road) and aircraft emissions were consistently associated with higher ASD risk, reinforcing previous research on near-roadway air pollution. Notably, biomass combustion and on-road diesel did not show positive associations, with the latter surprisingly displaying an inverse effect. Additionally, cooking and natural gas combustion were linked to ASD in some models but lost significance when multiple sources were considered. These results highlight the varying toxicity of PM2.5 based on its origin, emphasizing the need for targeted air quality regulations to reduce exposure from high-risk sources. The study’s findings underline the importance of considering source-specific effects in future environmental and public health policies.
- Don’t miss this opportunity to explore groundbreaking research on the effects of prenatal exposure to bisphenol A (BPA), a common endocrine-disrupting chemical found in plastics, and its potential role in neurodevelopmental disorders like ASD. In this webinar by the EDC Strategies Partnership, Dr. Anne-Louise Ponsonby will present key findings from the Barwon Infant Study (n = 1,074), which reveal that elevated prenatal BPA levels are linked to increased ASD symptoms and diagnoses in boys with low brain aromatase genetic activity. The study highlights the role of BPA in disrupting critical hormonal pathways through increased methylation, which impairs neuroplasticity and synaptic function.
