Statistical link to pollution and autism

[Ravi]

A new study released by the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio shows that pregnant moms may be more at risk to giving birth to children with autism the closer they live to mercury-emitting sources like power plants.

A newly published study of Texas school district data and industrial mercury-release data gathered by researchers at the Health Science Center and Our Lady of the Lake University shows a statistically significant link between pounds of industrial release of mercury and increased autism rates.

The article is found in the journal Health & Place.

http://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/stories/2008/04/21/daily27.html

 

[waltky]

Autism is more common among boys...

Protein found in brain cells may be key to autism
20 March 2011 - Scientists have shown how a single protein may trigger autistic spectrum disorders by stopping effective communication between brain cells.

The team from Duke University in North Carolina created autistic mice by mutating the gene which controls production of the protein, Shank3. The animals exhibited social problems, and repetitive behaviour - both classic signs of autism and related conditions. The Nature study raises hopes of the first effective drug treatments.

Autism is a disorder which, to varying degrees, affects the ability of children and adults to communicate and interact socially. While hundreds of genes linked to the condition have been found, the precise combination of genetics, biochemistry and other environmental factors which produce autism is still unclear.

Each patient has only one or a handful of those mutations, making it difficult to develop drugs to treat the disorder. Shank3 is found in the synapses - the junctions between brain cells (neurons) that allow them to communicate with each other. The researchers created mice which had a mutated form of Shank3, and found that these animals avoided social interactions with other mice. They also engaged in repetitious and self-injurious grooming behaviour.

Brain circuits

 

[hjmick]

Because the vaccination causation didn't pan out...

 

[Mad Scientist]

There's also talk about low rates of Autism among the Amish but I found this interesting bit that supports the OP.
Adventures in Autism: Autism Rate - US 1:166, Amish 1:15,000

A Virginia doctor told UPI he is treating six other Amish children with autism, none of them vaccinated. In four of the six cases he suspects their autism was triggered by mercury toxicity due to environmental pollution.

Some good friends of ours who live in L.A. (Toxic capitol of the world maybe?) have two children who are autistic. The father is a type II diabetic but I don't know if that has any bearing on their children's autism.
I've been reading about autism and diet and apparently some people have been seeing improvements by restricting gluten in their kids diets.

 

[strollingbones]

what about the study that says the closer the kids are in birth...the higher the autism rate?

They compared their autism rates to the length of time between the birth of
The first child and the conception of the second child.

The result: If a child was conceived *less* than twelve months after the birth of his or her older sibling-- that child was more than three times more likely to be diagnosed with Autism than a child conceived more than three years after the birth of the first child.

And children conceived between one and two years after the birth of their older siblings-- were at almost double the risk of Autism.

Time between pregnancies could be linked to Autism

 

[Quantum Windbag]

Because the vaccination causation didn't pan out...

Exactly what I thought when I read the thread title.

 

[waltky]

Utah air pollution makin' people sick...

Sickening fog settles over Salt Lake City area
Jan 23,`13 -- A group of Utah doctors is declaring a health emergency over the Salt Lake City area's lingering air pollution problem.

Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment planned to deliver a petition Wednesday demanding immediate action by elected officials.

The group wants Gov. Gary Herbert and mayors of northern Utah cities to cut the pollution.

The doctors suggest lowering highway speed limits, making mass transit free for the winter and curbing industrial activities. They want a permanent ban on wood-burning. And they want large employees to let people work from home.

The doctors are advising people to avoid the outdoors. They say people can help their bodies fight toxic exposure by introducing anti-oxidants in their diet, like fish oil or chocolate.

Source

 

[skookerasbil]

What a bunch of total crap...........I work in the field for 27 years. Nobody knows dick about what causes autism. There are dozens of theories, all hail mary passes.

Oh......... and the increase in autism stats is also a gigantic lie.

 

[rdean]

"Study" is not something that interests Republicans.

 

[Katzndogz]

More and more, every day, autism is being proved to be faked for most of the afflicted. If we stopped paying people to be autistic, we would have less of it.