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In honor and in memory

of Dr. Bernard Rimland,

Autism Pioneer and Advocate

 Issue: # 14                           

Dear Subscriber,

This e-newsletter provides obstetricians, pediatricians, and nurses with links to the latest research on ways to understand and to help children and adults on the autism spectrum.  Please feel free to send us your comments and feedback to: [email protected]. 

Previous issues of this e-newsletter can be viewed at: www.ClinicalResearchInAutism.com.

Steve Edelson, Ph.D. and Lenny Schafer

Genetics and the Environment

A growing number of scientific studies have demonstrated an association between genetics and exposure to environmental insult, such as toxins, as a risk for autism. 

Researchers investigating this issue estimate that 40% to 60% can be attributed to genetics, and the complementary 40% to 60% can be attributed to the environment.  

Diagnostic criteria for Christianson Syndrome 

[Original article appeared in Annals of Neurology] 

Early warning sign for babies at risk of autism: Early joint attention predicts later autism symptoms 

[Original article appeared in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders] 

Environmental influences may cause autism in some cases  

[Original article appeared in PLOS Genetics]
 

Exposure to antidepressants in the womb may influence autism risk

[Original article appeared in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders] 

Exposure to elevated levels of steroid hormones in the womb may cause autism 

[Original article appeared in Molecular Psychiatry]

Most genetic risk for autism resides with common variation

[Original article appeared in Nature Genetics]

Offspring autism risk linked to pesticide exposure during pregnancy 

[Original article appeared in Environmental Health Perspectives]

Prenatal maternal stress predicts asthma and autism traits 

[Original article appeared in Psychiatry Research]

Study links air pollution to autism, schizophrenia 

[Original article appeared in Environmental Health Perspectives] 

Adults with Asperger's syndrome 'at higher risk of suicidal thoughts' 

[Original article appeared in The Lancet Psychiatry]

 Autism 'passport' launched to help hospital staff working with disabled patients 

[Article on a new initiative at the Royal College of Physicians, UK]

Early-life seizures result in deficits in social behavior and learning

[Article appeared in Experimental Neurology]