Why the Environmental Protection Agency is important for autism

The Environmental Protection Agency has a big job to do – keep our air and water clean.  They do so, in part, with air monitors placed across the United States which allow researchers to keep tabs on what is going on in our air.  This week, a study from Dr. Amy Kalkbrenner at UWM and colleagues replicated that certain types of air pollution increased risk of autism, as well as increased symptoms of severity of autism in those with a diagnosis.   These pollutants come from cars, but also coal burning power plants.  This new research calls for more action, not less, by the crucial staff and infrastructure of the EPA and policy to help support them do it.  #standwithEPA

https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/ehp1867/

 

Where are all the girls with autism? Live from the Seaver Center Conference

Hear what you missed if you were unable to attend the Seaver Autism Conference on September 25th!  Dr. David Skuse discusses “where are all the girls with autism”, summarizing evidence that some girls with high verbal IQ and autism might be missed, suggesting genes associated with high IQ may be protective against a diagnosis until adolescence.  Also, ASF grantee Dr. Jennifer Foss-Feig describes how biomarkers can be used to improve personalized medicine.  Finally, a summary and review of the new air pollution systematic review and meta analysis.  Limited evidence does not equal none, and air pollution is a real problem.  Here is a link to the paper:  http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0161851.  All in 12 minutes.