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A Review on the Mechanism Between Different Factors and the Occurrence of Autism and ADHD
1Medical Administration Department, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University/West China Women's and Children's Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China.
Insights
Rising rates of childhood autism and ADHD are linked to environmental toxins. This review explores genetic factors, heavy metals, pollutants, and neurotransmitter imbalances, offering public health strategies to reduce risks.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Neuroscience
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Increasing incidence of neurodevelopmental disorders, specifically autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), in children.
- Potential contribution of various environmental and genetic factors to the rise of these conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elaborate on the genetic aspects and pathogenic hypotheses of autism and ADHD in children.
- To analyze the relationship between environmental toxins and these neurodevelopmental disorders.
- To discuss potential public health interventions and risk reduction strategies.
Main Methods:
- Literature data retrieval and analysis.
- Examination of pathogenic factors including heavy metals (lead, mercury), PVC, PCBs, and air pollutants (PM2.5, PM10).
- Review of neurotransmitter signaling (norepinephrine, serotonin) and parental risk factors (alcohol, smoking).
Main Results:
- Detailed explanation of the pathogenicity of various environmental toxins.
- Discussion on abnormal neurotransmitter concentrations and their association with autism and ADHD.
- Identification of high-risk environmental and lifestyle factors contributing to these disorders.
Conclusions:
- Environmental toxins and harmful substances are linked to increased rates of childhood autism and ADHD.
- Medical and public health perspectives are crucial for minimizing exposure and curbing disease growth.
- Recommendations for clinical and daily life risk reduction for parents and prospective parents are provided.
Abstract:
The incidence of neurodevelopmental disorders especially in children has been on the rise in recent decades, which is possibly caused by many different factors. In order to further explain this situation and arouse enough attention, this review will specifically elaborate genetic aspects and pathogenic hypothesis of these two kinds of neurodevelopmental diseases in children, autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) while analyzing the relationship between different environmental toxins and these two disorders. The effects of these pathogenic factors such as heavy metal lead, mercury, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and their strong pathogenicity will be explained in detail through literature data retrieval and analysis. In addition, other neurotransmitter such as norepinephrine (NE) and serotonin (5-HT) signaling factors coming down to these two neurodevelopmental disorders and how their abnormal concentration present in the blood as well as the completely opposite results among experimental groups and control group will be elaborated. Furthermore, other high-risk and high-exposure factors may contribute to both diseases, such as alcohol and smoking abuse among parents, air pollutants PM2.5 and PM10 in the environment will also be discussed in the review. Since these environmental toxins and other harmful substances discussed in the paper have been linked to an increasing number of children with autism and ADHD in recent decades, from the medical perspective, this review will put forward certain succinct points to the aspects of minimizing relevant exposure or risks in clinical and daily life, as well as feasible suggestions in public health area for children, parents and prospective parents, to curb the growth of these two diseases in part by raising awareness in the population and reducing unnecessary exposure.
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