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Effects of Environmental Factors on Autism

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (29 February 2016) | Viewed by 8735

Special Issue Editor

Health and Life Sciences, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, VU University, De Boelelaan 1085 T-634, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Interests: early life exposure to environmental factors on child growth and behavioral development
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, concern has risen worldwide about the increasing prevalence of developmental disorders, in particular Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). ASD is a generic term for a group of neurodevelopmental disorders primarily diagnosed in childhood. The disorders are characterized by impaired social interaction, communication, and repetitive behavior. Although the increase reflects a genuine rise in the prevalence of ASD, some researchers claim that the rise can be attributed to increased awareness of the disorders, while others assert that changed diagnostic tools and a broadening of the diagnostic criteria are accountable. However, these explanations are not sufficient to explain the rapid increase of ASD. Both genetic and environmental factors are likely to play a role in the development of ASD. Heritable factors may contribute to the susceptibility for ASD, creating sensitivity in the developing brain to adverse effects of environmental factors.

We invite investigators to contribute original research articles, as well as review articles, that will provide new insights into the role of environmental factors on the development of ASD. In addition, research that aims to clarify the molecular mechanisms of action by specific environmental factors on the structure and function of the developing brain are desirable. Studies documenting interaction between genes and environmental factors are also very welcome. Research presented may cover in vitro, in vivo, and human cohort studies with the intention to unravel the role of exposure to environmental factors in early life (prenatal, as well as early postnatal) with regard to the development of ASD. Clinical trials must have been registered with a known database.

Prof. Dr. Margot Van de Bor
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • autism spectrum disorders
  • environmental factors
  • environmental risk
  • early life exposure
  • genetics
  • environmental chemicals
  • endocrine disrupting chemicals
  • pesticides
  • neurotransmitters
  • heavy metals
  • fine particulate matter
  • microbiota
  • immune mediators
  • immune dysregulation
  • maternal diet
  • maternal BMI
  • (maternal) gestational weight gain
  • (maternal) stress

Published Papers (1 paper)

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548 KiB  
Review
Epigenetic Effect of Environmental Factors on Autism Spectrum Disorders
by Takeo Kubota and Kazuki Mochizuki
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(5), 504; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13050504 - 14 May 2016
Cited by 43 | Viewed by 8483
Abstract
Both environmental factors and genetic factors are involved in the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Epigenetics, an essential mechanism for gene regulation based on chemical modifications of DNA and histone proteins, is also involved in congenital ASDs. It was recently demonstrated that [...] Read more.
Both environmental factors and genetic factors are involved in the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Epigenetics, an essential mechanism for gene regulation based on chemical modifications of DNA and histone proteins, is also involved in congenital ASDs. It was recently demonstrated that environmental factors, such as endocrine disrupting chemicals and mental stress in early life, can change epigenetic status and gene expression, and can cause ASDs. Moreover, environmentally induced epigenetic changes are not erased during gametogenesis and are transmitted to subsequent generations, leading to changes in behavior phenotypes. However, epigenetics has a reversible nature since it is based on the addition or removal of chemical residues, and thus the original epigenetic status may be restored. Indeed, several antidepressants and anticonvulsants used for mental disorders including ASDs restore the epigenetic state and gene expression. Therefore, further epigenetic understanding of ASDs is important for the development of new drugs that take advantages of epigenetic reversibility. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Environmental Factors on Autism)
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