What are the 3 main causes of autism?

Autism is a complex developmental disorder that affects how a person communicates, interacts, and behaves with others. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is an umbrella term that covers a range of conditions that share some common features, but vary in severity and symptoms.

Autism is a complex condition that does not have a single origin. Instead, it may result from a mix of genetic and environmental influences that affect its development.

In this blog post, we will explore following three possible causes of autism

1. Genes and ASD

2. Interactions between genes and the environment

3. Other biological causes

1. Genes and ASD

There is a lot of evidence that suggests that genes are one of the main causes of or a major contributor to ASD. There are more than 100 genes on different chromosomes that may be involved in causing ASD, to different degrees. A majority of people with autism have slight changes, called mutations, in many of these genes.

However, the link between genetic mutations and autism is complex: not everyone who has these mutations develops autism, and not everyone who has autism has these mutations. Some genetic mutations may increase the risk of autism, while others may affect its severity or symptoms.

Some genetic mutations may be inherited from parents, while others may occur spontaneously during conception or early development.

2. Interactions between genes and the environment

Environmental factors are anything that a person is exposed to during pregnancy, birth, or early childhood, such as infections, medications, toxins, stress, or nutrition. Some environmental factors may trigger or worsen the effects of genetic mutations, while others may protect or reduce them.

For example, some studies have suggested that maternal infections during pregnancy, such as rubella or cytomegalovirus, may increase the risk of autism in children who have certain genetic mutations.

On the other hand, some studies have suggested that folic acid supplementation during pregnancy may lower the risk of autism in children who have certain genetic mutations.

3. Other biological causes

Besides genes and environmental factors, there may be other biological causes of autism that affect the brain development and function of people with ASD. These include abnormalities in brain structure or activity, imbalances in neurotransmitters or hormones, immune system dysfunctions, or metabolic disorders. Some of these biological causes may be related to genetic or environmental factors, while others may be independent.

For example, some studies have found differences in the size or shape of certain brain regions in people with autism compared to those without. These differences may affect how the brain processes information and regulates emotions.

On the other hand, some studies have found alterations in the levels or functions of serotonin, oxytocin, or melatonin in people with autism compared to those without. These substances may affect how the brain communicates and responds to social cues.

Conclusion

Autism is a multifaceted disorder that has no single cause. Rather, it is likely that a combination of genetic and environmental factors, as well as other biological causes, contribute to its development and manifestation.