Even with a tremendous amount of study and research, we are still very much in the dark about what causes Autistic Spectrum Disorder in children.
Clearly there are genetic factors involved in some cases. In my own family, I have noticed that a few of my other children exhibit mild autistic-like traits, barely noticeable, but curious still. Studies have shown that this can sometimes be the case, where siblings of autistic children will have small traces of the disorder. Often the parents, when studied, also have mildly autistic behaviors. (Who me?)
A Flawed Gene?
A gene involved in the production of ATP, a molecule that provides energy to cells, has been identified as “possibly increasing the risk” of Autism. Researchers at the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in New York studied 411 families with autistic children and learned that all the family members had variations in the SLC25A12 gene. However, a flaw in this gene alone does not cause autism. It appears that a combination of genetic factors or flaws may create the condition.
Analytical Couples
A recent study at the University of Cambridge found that “highly analytical” couples, such as scientists, may have a higher risk of having an autistic child. Couples who are less social and somewhat obsessed with detail were often seen as parents of autistic children. Researchers aren’t certain why this may be true, except that it has to do with the delicate balance of brain functioning.
Differences and Similarities in Brain Structure
A New Scientist piece which was presented at the annual meeting of the Society of Neuroscience said that parents of autistic children share similarities in brain structure, including an unexpected increase in the size of the brain linked to planning, imitation, and movement. However, the somatosensory cortex, involved in interpreting facial expressions—which is often difficult for autistic people–was smaller in those same parents.
Professor Simon Baron-Cohen of the Autism Research Center in Cambridge, recently said, “”We have known for years that family members of people with autism may share some traits.
“However, the finding that there are differences in brain structure in parents of children with autism compared to parents of children without autism is new.
“It is telling us that these genes, as they run through families, are affecting brain function and structure not just in the person with autism but also in their first degree relatives.”
It’s puzzling…
In a future blog I will discuss environmental and external factors which have been suggested to play a role in causing Autism. Genetic factors clearly are a piece in this puzzle, but exactly how big and in what combination with other pieces isn’t clear. Fortunately, research is ongoing, providing us with new insights.