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Following is a list of causes or underlying conditions (see also Misdiagnosis of underlying causes of Autism) that could possibly cause Autism includes:
The following conditions have been cited in various sources as potentially causal risk factors related to Autism:
Gender of Patients for Autism: 4 times more common in males than females...more »
Gender Profile of Autism: Autism is about 4 times more common in boys than girls. Girls with the disorder, however,... (Source: excerpt from The Numbers Count: NIMH) ...more »
To research the causes of Autism, consider researching the causes of these these diseases that may be similar, or associated with Autism:
Causes of Types of Autism: Review the cause informationfor the various types of Autism:
Causes of Broader Categories of Autism: Review the causal information about the various more general categories of medical conditions:
Conditions listing Autism as a symptom may also be potential underlying causes of Autism. Our database lists the following as having Autism as a symptom of that condition:
Causes: Autism:
Autism has no single cause. Researchers have identified a number of
genes that play a role in the disorder. In some children, environmental
factors also may play a role in development of the disorder. Studies of
people with autism have found abnormalities in several regions of the
brain, including the cerebellum, amygdala, hippocampus, septum, and
mamillary bodies. Neurons in these regions appear smaller than normal and
have stunted nerve fibers, which may interfere with nerve signaling. These
abnormalities suggest that autism results from disruption of normal brain
development early in fetal development. Other studies suggest that people
with autism have abnormalities of serotonin or other signaling molecules
in the brain. While these findings are intriguing, they are preliminary
and require further study. The early belief that parental practices are
responsible for autism has now been disproved.
(Source: excerpt from Autism Fact Sheet: NINDS)
Article excerpts about the
causes of Autism:
It is generally accepted that autism is caused by abnormalities in
brain structures or functions. Using a variety of new research tools to
study human and animal brain growth, scientists are discovering more about
normal development and how abnormalities occur.
The brain of a fetus develops throughout pregnancy. Starting out with a few cells, the cells grow and divide until the brain contains billions of specialized cells, called neurons. Research sponsored by NIMH and other components at the National Institutes of Health is playing a key role in showing how cells find their way to a specific area of the brain and take on special functions. Once in place, each neuron sends out long fibers that connect with other neurons. In this way, lines of communication are established between various areas of the brain and between the brain and the rest of the body. As each neuron receives a signal it releases chemicals called neurotransmitters, which pass the signal to the next neuron. By birth, the brain has evolved into a complex organ with several distinct regions and subregions, each with a precise set of functions and responsibilities. (Source: excerpt from Autism: NIMH)
The following medical news items are relevant to causes of Autism:
As with all medical conditions, there may be many causal factors. Further relevant information on causes of Autism may be found in:
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