The recent study, Epigenetic Mechnisms: A Possible Link Between Autism Spectrum Disorders and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, shows how there is a possible link between polygenetic, epigenetic, and environemental factors and autism. According to the artcicle, there recently has been progress in understanding the genetics of autism. In fact, other recent studies have shown that there may be environmental factors that interact with genetic factors that increase the risk of autism. It has been also noted that epigenetic mechanisms might affect gene transcription alterations on passageways that are involved with neurological and cognitive development, social skills, behavior, etc. Furthermore, hazardous prenatal events may alter neurodevelopment on a long term scale. It is discussed that other studies have also shown that epigentic dysregulation is a key component in fetal alcohol syndrome disorder. However, according to this particular study, more research needs to be done, because more epigenetic investigation can shed light on neurodevelopmental disorders and their shared molecular mechanisms, as well as their prevention.
I found this article intriguing. It did a good job of explaining how FASD and ASD are connected. It made my curious as to what other disorders are linked to fetal alcohol syndrome. It also made me think of how daft women are who drink while they are pregnant or that do drugs, and how obvious it is that they should have been sterilized. However, since this does occur, I do hope that more research is done, so preventative measures can be taken, or even possible a cure for autism or FASD, since currently there is no cure.
http://www.sciencedirect.com.ezproxy.shsu.edu/science/article/pii/S1043661815002157
https://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism
https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/fetalalcoholspectrumdisorders.html
I know it's gotta be hard to give up those happy hour margaritas for 9 months, but I would think these mothers would live! Pretty interesting the correlation between fetal alcohol syndrome and autism. It doesn't surprise me though. Some women really gotta be more mindful of what they put into their bodies while they're pregnant. :\
ReplyDeleteThis was a pretty cool connection between the two, FASD and ASD. I'm hoping this will eventually gain more investigation, and eventually be able to prove all the crazy anti-vaccine groups wrong on how autism can't be linked to things like vaccines; which by the way drives me insane.
ReplyDeleteThis article is very intriguing. I'm glad to see that research as to what causes ASD is focused on something other than vaccines. it's irritating when vaccines get blamed because my cousin is autistic and was never vaccinated.
ReplyDeleteso autism isn't linked to vaccination? Just kidding! Good read, I like your use of pictures in your posts :)
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree that women who drink and/or do drugs while they are pregnant don't deserve to have children!! Especially because they probably won't change their habits for 18 years to raise the child if they couldn't even do so for 9 months.
ReplyDeleteOn another note, is there any cases where autism has been misdiagnosed as FAS, or vice versa? Or are they distinct enough?
Not sure Michelle, but I will look it up for you.
ReplyDeleteNot sure Michelle, but I will look it up for you.
ReplyDelete