Is Autism Onset Due To Genetics, The Environment Or Both?

Autism spectrum disorder is often considered one of the most mysterious conditions an individual can be diagnosed with because there isn't a cure nor is there concrete evidence that identifies the reason for onset. Currently, ASD affects an estimated 1 in 45 children aged 3 to 17 according to the National Health Statistics Report and the increase in prevalence is alarming. The disorder can vary in severity from one individual to the next but majority of those with ASD have some core symptoms. Those core symptoms fall in the areas of social interaction difficulties, verbal and nonverbal communication challenges, limited interest in activities or play as well as delays in developing/learning new skills.

With that in mind, the Albert and Claire Dwoskin Family Foundation has made it their mission to uncover the unknown mysteries regarding chronic conditions like autism through philanthropic efforts and scientific research to find the cause of onset. The foundation believes the discovery of the cause will open up the doors to treatment, prevention and cure. However, a challenge often arises regarding the onset of autism: is it due to genetics, the environment or a combination of both?

Looking back at most research associated with the onset of neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders like autism, historical data has typically focused on the presumption of genetic causes with less emphasis on environmental factors. However, the presumption of heritability/genetic factors cannot sufficiently explain each reported case of autism nor can it explain the reason of the significant rise in the disorders' prevalence. But, according to a recent publication, there is now sufficient evidence from both human and animal studies that indicate cumulative exposure from environmental factors make it less benign as previously assumed.

The evidence in the publication displays the onset of autism may be attributed to early-life immune insults induced by environmental xenobiotics. A very common xenobiotic that is immuno-stimulation is aluminum, which contains neurotoxic properties. This xenobiotic is routinely exposed to infants under the age of 2 in the form of an aluminum adjuvant formulated in a vaccine. The aluminum adjuvant serves to excite the immune system but given its neurotoxic properties, it has the potential of inducing an adverse numerological and immunological effect, which indicates important clues to its possible role in autism.

Due to the fact that infants are at the greatest risk of experiencing an adverse reaction following the administration of an aluminum adjuvant based vaccine, the plausibility of the immune system being overstimulation could play a major role in the onset of neurobehavioral disorders – making the hypothesis is very conceivable.

Additionally, when you take a look at the proposed etiologies of neurological disorders like autism, Alzheimer's, Lou Gehrig's and Parkinson's diseases, that all are presumed from genetic mutations. But, this theory is incorrect as majority of these conditions are not familial – they do not possess obvious genetic mutations that are associated with the progression or onset of the disease. This makes those disorders fall into the sporadic category, which means the increase in prevalence of the disorders in a short period of time rules out a genetic origin. With this information, clinicians, scientists and researchers should put more emphasis on environmental factors because it could provide the groundbreaking data needed to ultimately cure such disorders.