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By Dr Tushar Chauhan October 19, 2022

Is Autism genetic?

Autism is a serious congenital problem and shows a wide range of reportable behavioural symptoms. Let’s see if it is genetic or not.

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Autism is a developmental disorder and is also known as an autism spectrum disorder.

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Common symptoms of ASD are lack of communication, speech delay, repetitive behaviour, lack of social behaviour and other mental problems.

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The prevalence of Autism has increased in recent years. In the USA, 1 in 44 babies is diagnosed with ASD in 2021.

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Autism is caused by genetic factors and interaction with the environment. For example, a high lead (Pb) surrounding mutates some genes and causes ASD.

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The estimated risk for ASD by genetic factors is 40 to 80%. Over 1000 genes are involved in ASD.

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Common genes involved in ASD are SHANK3, ARID1B, SYNGAP1, ASH1L, CHD2, CHD8, DYRK1A, POGZ, DISC1, ITG3, SLC6A4 and RELN.

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Genetics, maternal age, pregnancy complications, environment, exposure to mutagens and other unknown factors cause ASD.

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As per the studies any factor directly or indirectly affects several genes, mutates it and collectively causes a varied degree of ASD.

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Recent studies demonstrate that 80% of ASD can occur by inherited gene mutations and not only by environment or random mutagenesis events.

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The condition is non-inherited, but collectively we can say autism is genetic, as the major factor is genetic- gene mutations.

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