Study Finds That Pollution Increases Autism Risk

Autism spectrum disorder is a developmental and neurological disorder that affects how an individual communicates with others, interacts with them, behaves and learns. About 75 million individuals globally live with this disorder, which is about 1% of the global population.

The disorder’s symptoms usually manifest in the first 2 years of an infant’s life, with common symptoms including repetitive behaviors and restricted interests.

Various studies suggest that having older parents, having an older sibling with autism, having a very low birth weight, and having genetic conditions like Down syndrome heighten the likelihood of a child developing autism.

Now a new study has discovered that air pollution may also heighten a child’s risk of developing this disorder. The researchers found that a pregnant woman being exposed to common air pollutants could have an extreme effect on the brain of the fetus during vital development periods.

The senior author of the study, Professor Haitham Amal, stated that different neurological disorders could be linked to pollutants. He explained that the timing of exposure appeared critical, with increased vulnerability during prenatal development.

In their report, the researchers posited that the pollutants access the placenta and impact fetal brain growth. They explained that nitrogen oxides and fine particulate matter affect the fetus’ brain most.

Being exposed to concentrations of nitrogen oxide higher than 200 µg/m3 in the short term can cause one’s airways to be inflamed while also heightening susceptibility to respiratory infections. Nitrogen oxide can also aggravate the symptoms of those with heart or lung conditions.

Some of these pollutants occur naturally in the atmosphere while others come from fossil fuels and transport.

The researchers note that their discovery is especially relevant to persons who are genetically predisposed to autism. It is believed that about 80% of autism cases are hereditary. Amal added that this interaction between environmental and genetic factors opens new avenues for understanding the causes of autism.

The researchers also proposed some pathways that pollutants could use to disrupt the body, including how they convey chemical messages between nerves, the hormone system, and chemical reactions.

The researchers hope that their findings will motivate health professionals to implement protective measures for pregnant women living in highly polluted areas. The findings from the study were published in Brain Medicine.

The study was funded by a Berettler Center for Research in Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics grant, a U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) grant, a German Research Foundation grant, and a California Institute for Regenerative Medicine grant, among others.

Significant research resources are being invested by various enterprises like PaxMedica Inc. (OTC: PXMD) to develop effective treatments against ASD. As these efforts progress, patients can look forward to better alternatives that can deliver life-changing clinical outcomes.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to PaxMedica Inc. (OTC: PXMD) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/PXMD

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