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Autism and vitamin D
1Atascadero State Hospital, Psychiatry, 10333 El Camino Real, Atascadero, CA 93423, United States. jjcannell@charterinternet.com
Medical Hypotheses
|October 9, 2007
Summary
Low vitamin D levels, potentially due to sun avoidance, may explain autism
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Autism etiology requires understanding its genetic basis and epidemiology.
- Increased autism prevalence correlates with reduced sun exposure and lower vitamin D levels.
- Maternal vitamin D deficiency in animal models causes brain abnormalities similar to autism.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of vitamin D (calcitriol) in autism etiology.
- To explain the genetic and epidemiological patterns of autism through vitamin D deficiency.
- To explore potential iatrogenic causes of autism related to sun avoidance advice.
Main Methods:
- Review of animal data on vitamin D deficiency and brain development.
- Comparison of autism phenotypes with conditions involving altered calcitriol levels (e.g., Williams Syndrome).
- Analysis of epidemiological data linking autism prevalence to geographic, environmental, and demographic factors.
Main Results:
- Severe gestational vitamin D deficiency in animals leads to brain abnormalities.
- Vitamin D deficient rickets symptoms in children may improve with vitamin D treatment.
- Autism prevalence is higher in regions with low UVB penetration and in darker-skinned populations.
Conclusions:
- Vitamin D (calcitriol) deficiency during development may explain autism's genetics and epidemiology.
- Medical advice to avoid the sun could be an iatrogenic cause of autism.
- Further studies can easily test this vitamin D-centric theory of autism.
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