ASD tagged posts

While folate deficiency is bad for developing fetus, excessive amounts could also be harmful. The researchers found that if a new mother has a very high level of folate right after giving birth ie > 4X what is considered adequate – the risk that her child will develop an autism spectrum disorder doubles. Very high vitamin B12 levels in new moms are also potentially harmful, tripling the risk that her offspring will develop an autism spectrum disorder. If both levels are extremely high, the risk that a child develops the disorder increases 17.6X. Folate, a B vitamin, is found naturally in fruits and vegetables, while the synthetic version, folic acid, is used to fortify cereals and breads in the United States and in vitamin supplements.

Folate is essential in cell growth and promotes neuro...

Highlights •TMLHE controls the neural stem cell (NSC) pool in the embryonic mouse neocortex •CPT1A and fatty acid mobilization from lipid droplets regulate the NSC pool •TMLHE deficiencies lead to increased symmetric differentiating division of NSCs •NSC defects under TMLHE deficiencies can be rescued by exogenous carnitine

Besides folic acid, another prenatal supplement could protect against a certain type of autism, according to research: carnitine. It is required for transport of fatty acids into mitochondria – that converts these fats into energy...

Salmeterol

Looking at birth records from Denmark dating between 1997 and 2007, it was determined that “This study adds to a body of recent research suggesting that medications used for certain common health conditions like asthma, when taken in pregnancy, may influence a newborn’s neurodevelopment,” Newschaffer said.

B2AR agonist drugs – which include salmetereol and formoterol – are used to relax the bronchial passages in a person’s lungs, providing a release from the constricting nature of asthma. According to the study, B2AR drugs can cross the placenta and reach the fetus, which may have an effect on its developing neurons.

Using Denmark’s Civil Registration System, Gidaya and the research team drew their sample from births in Denmark between Jan. 1, 1996 and Dec. 31 2006...