![[ Visit Client Website ]](images/banner.JPG)
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Northwest Hall (Chicago Hilton)
11:00 AM
Background: The causes and contributing factors for autism are poorly understood and the mechanisms of pathogenesis have yet to be delineated. There is a growing literature on exposure to environmental agents, genetic factors as well as interactions between them and genetic predisposition as potential causes of autism.
In September 2005 it began a pilot ASD screening program in Spain (Ferrari MJ et al, IMFAR 2008). One year later parents of children diagnosed with ASD through this program were invited to be part of a case-control study.
Objectives: To explore environmental risk factors potentially associated with the development of these disorders as well as the possible role of the immune system in the etiology of autism.
Methods: Design: Case-control study. ASD cases with two controls for each case were matched by age, sex and geographical residential area during pregnancy and child early life. All sample subjects must be diagnosed by expert clinicians trough the same standarized diagnosis tests such as ADOS-G, Vineland, Merrill Palmer-R, as well as clinical judgement based on F.84 DSM- IV TR.
Cases: All children aged from 18 to 32 months old with an ASD diagnosis from the screening programs, centres of early intervention and from ASD associations in Spain.
Controls: Children diagnosed with other developmental disorder (ODD) (Language Impairment, Global Developmental Delay, etc) and children with typical development (TD).
Variables: Parents Medical History, Lifestyle and records signs as well as parents Pre- peri- and post- natal residential and working environmental exposure data collected through questionnaires. Immunological tests: IgG, IgA and IgM levels in serum, antibodies against neuronal antigens and glangliosides and total mercury levels (Hg) through blood and hair samples.
Results: Questionnaires on environmental risk factors have been developed as well as the protocols to gather and analyse the biologic samples in order to standardize the process. At the same time, diagnosis in the three sample groups has been confirmed.
The study is in the first phases but they have been already recruited more than 50 children. Blood and hair samples and exposures data have been collected from 39 children (15 PDD, 9 ODD, and 15 TD). Initial analyses do not indicate significant differences on Hg levels.
High values of IgG have been observed in some of them. Additionally, the study of antibodies against neuronal antigens and gangliosides has showed reactivity against two gangliosides (GM1 and GM2).These results must be confirmed through of indirect immunofluorescence test (IIFT).
Conclusions: This study is the only case-control study on environmental risk factors and autism ongoing in Spain. It seems possible to identify some possible risk factors.
In September 2005 it began a pilot ASD screening program in Spain (Ferrari MJ et al, IMFAR 2008). One year later parents of children diagnosed with ASD through this program were invited to be part of a case-control study.
Objectives: To explore environmental risk factors potentially associated with the development of these disorders as well as the possible role of the immune system in the etiology of autism.
Methods: Design: Case-control study. ASD cases with two controls for each case were matched by age, sex and geographical residential area during pregnancy and child early life. All sample subjects must be diagnosed by expert clinicians trough the same standarized diagnosis tests such as ADOS-G, Vineland, Merrill Palmer-R, as well as clinical judgement based on F.84 DSM- IV TR.
Cases: All children aged from 18 to 32 months old with an ASD diagnosis from the screening programs, centres of early intervention and from ASD associations in Spain.
Controls: Children diagnosed with other developmental disorder (ODD) (Language Impairment, Global Developmental Delay, etc) and children with typical development (TD).
Variables: Parents Medical History, Lifestyle and records signs as well as parents Pre- peri- and post- natal residential and working environmental exposure data collected through questionnaires. Immunological tests: IgG, IgA and IgM levels in serum, antibodies against neuronal antigens and glangliosides and total mercury levels (Hg) through blood and hair samples.
Results: Questionnaires on environmental risk factors have been developed as well as the protocols to gather and analyse the biologic samples in order to standardize the process. At the same time, diagnosis in the three sample groups has been confirmed.
The study is in the first phases but they have been already recruited more than 50 children. Blood and hair samples and exposures data have been collected from 39 children (15 PDD, 9 ODD, and 15 TD). Initial analyses do not indicate significant differences on Hg levels.
High values of IgG have been observed in some of them. Additionally, the study of antibodies against neuronal antigens and gangliosides has showed reactivity against two gangliosides (GM1 and GM2).These results must be confirmed through of indirect immunofluorescence test (IIFT).
Conclusions: This study is the only case-control study on environmental risk factors and autism ongoing in Spain. It seems possible to identify some possible risk factors.