Symposium on Cumulative Impacts and Children's Environmental Health

Causes of Autism: Presentation by Irva Hertz-Picciotto at the Symposium of Cumulative Impacts on Children's Environmental Health

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Abstract: The causes of autism or the broader category of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are diverse and include both genetic and non-inherited factors or exposures. Although genes play a major role, only through identification of environmental contributions can we identify ways to intervene and reduce risk. This presentation will review the state-of-the-science on several modifiable factors: pesticides, metals, air pollution, vinyl flooring, and will touch on medical conditions and nutritional factors. Also discussed will be the critical time windows for susceptibility, why searching for "the" cause of autism is futile, and future directions for both research and action to bring about an end to the rapid rise in autism.

Recommended Resources

Autism and Air Pollution:

Volk et al 2012 Archives of General Psychiatry

Volk HE, Hertz-Picciotto I, Delwiche L, Lurmann F, McConnell R. Residential proximity to freeways and autism in the CHARGE study. Environ Health Perspect. 2011 Jun;119(6):873-7. doi: 10.1289/ehp.1002835. Full text at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/?term=10.1289/ehp.1002835

Autism & parental occupational exposures:

McCanlies et al 2012 Journal of Autism and Developmental

Autism and Maternal Nutrition During and Before Pregnancy:

Schmidt et al 2011 Epidemiology
Schmidt et al 2012 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

Radio broadcasts with Dr. Hertz-Picciotto

PRI Living on Earth: http://www.loe.org/shows/segments.html?programID=12-P13-00014&segmentID=1

Ira Flatow's Science Friday: http://www.sciencefriday.com/segment/06/10/2011/gene-mutations-offer-clues-on-the-autistic-brain.html