What does an expert say about the risk of autism after infections?

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This week we talk to Dr. Renee Gardner from the Karolinska Institute who utilizes large datasets to understand the link between pregnancy exposures and later diagnoses in children – including the diagnosis of autism. She has identified several rare infections during pregnancy that have a strong link to an autism diagnosis in children. Much like “rare” and “common” genetic variations, there is likely to be “rare” and “common” environmental exposures that have different influences on an autism diagnosis. What does this mean for pregnant women? The same as anything a good doctor would tell you: wash your hands, stay away from sick people, and try not to share food with your sick child.

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/fullarticle/2853867

https://ki.se/en/research/research-areas-centres-and-networks/research-groups/epidemiology-of-psychiatric-conditions-substance-use-and-social-environment-epicss-emilie-agardhs-renee-gardners-research-group

A new understanding of autism genetics

Lots of people tend to think of the genetics of disorders or disease about one mutation or genetic variation that is inherited from the mother or the father, that causes a trait directly.  Unfortunately, the genetics of autism isn’t that simple or scientists would have found “the gene” by now.  In fact, there are different types of genetic influences in autism.  A new study in Nature Genetics led by Elise Robinson shows how common variation influences autism risk, as well as intellectual function in autism, compared to de novo mutations.  There is a short primer at the beginning of the podcast about old-school genetic thinking and why it doesn’t apply to ASD.  Below is the picture mentioned.

 

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