Blog

A team of researchers from esteemed institutions such as Columbia and Vanderbilt universities and collaborators from various regions have been diligently working to unravel the mysteries surrounding autism.

One of their main focuses related to Autism has been serotonin, a signaling molecule renowned for its pivotal role in mood regulation and heavily involved in forming the brain and nervous system.

Serotonin Autism Research

The research team, led by scientists from the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) Autism Center of Excellence, collected genetic samples from three different sources: the UIC Autism Center of Excellence, the UIC and Vanderbilt sites of the Simons Simplex Collection, and the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative’s repository.

This collection holds samples from 2,600 families with children diagnosed with ASD. After analyzing the data, they found that in a subset of children with ASD, high levels of maternal serotonin are linked to common genetic or environmental factors that increase the risk for autism.

However, when a single, rare genetic variant is solely responsible for the increased risk, elevated levels of maternal serotonin are not as commonly observed. In layman’s terms, the researchers found that when a child has autism, there are factors such as genetics and environmental influences that play a role in the development of this condition.

In some cases, high levels of serotonin found in the mother during pregnancy may also contribute to an increased risk for autism, but this is not always the case. Instead, when a specific rare genetic mutation is present, high serotonin becomes the primary factor in increasing the likelihood of developing autism.

Experts say that this relationship between genetic variations and maternal serotonin levels has been recognized for over six decades, the problem being that the complete mechanism behind it still remains to be fully understood.

It’s a complex issue

According to James Sutcliffe, a renowned autism genetics specialist at Vanderbilt University, this complex issue has yet to be completely unraveled.  However,  researchers are actively conducting clinical trials at Vanderbilt and other institutions to investigate the potential of medications that target the serotonin system in alleviating irritability and improving social functioning in children with autism.

Moreover, through genetic studies, other related health conditions have been uncovered in children with ASD, such as previously undiagnosed cardiac abnormalities and severe epilepsy occurring during sleep. It is of hope that with continued research and advancements, we can better understand the underlying genetic factors contributing to autism.

Effective treatments and interventions

As we continue to learn more about the genetic links to autism, it is important to also focus on effective treatments and interventions that can improve the lives of those with this condition. One such treatment is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), a therapeutic approach that has been shown to be highly effective in improving communication, social skills, and behavior in individuals with autism.

In Chicago, Illinois, many ABA therapy providers specialize in working with children and adults with autism. However, for quality ABA therapy, look no further than Illinois Autism Center.