Tag: gene x environment

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The newest most advanced way to study gene x environment interactions

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This week we talk to Dr. Dan Geschwind from UCLA who was funded by the Autism Data Science Initiative to study thousands of environmental chemicals and medicines across various genetic backgrounds. A decade ago, this study would have taken a decade, but through new technology, robotics, and existing knowledge about genes and these chemicals, it is automated and can be done is 3 years. Dr. Geschwind will explain how he is using cells from people with autism to identify potential environmental factors that may contribute to a diagnosis of autism, or exacerbate or aleviate symptoms of autism and developmental disorders. This is incredibly cool – have a listen to what this ADSI project is doing and what it can tell scientists about what is important to focus on in autism.

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The Final Word on Antidepressants and Autism Risk???

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Every time you turn around there is another study contradicting the last on antidepressant use and autism risk.  An answer on why there are differences across different studies may be found in a new analysis published by University of Washington and SSM Dean Medical Group in Wisconsin this week.  They showed that autism severity (not risk) is increased only with both a likely gene disruption AND following antidepressant exposure in pregnancy together.  This suggests a double hit model similar to other complex neuropsychiatric disorders like depression.  It also suggests that findings from other chemicals, like PBDE’s, may be dependent on gene / environment interactions too.  After all, a new systematic review showed PBDE’s during pregnancy are bad for the IQ of the child.  This provides insight on ASD risk and subtype given the multitude of possible genetic / environmental combinations out there.