Autism Funding, Research Continue at MIND Institute; Ultimate Goals Remain Elusive

Yesterday, the EPA announced the continuation of funding for research on environmental causes of autism. The funds will go to a set of three projects, all of which are connected to the M.I.N.D. Institute in Sacramento, CA. According to the press release, "This center will investigate how genes and exposure to environmental chemicals during fetal development may play a role in the development of autism." The release goes on to elaborate:

In the past, health problems were attributed to a single cause and effect: a virus, genetics, or trauma. But many illnesses do not fit this model. There are a number of emerging theories that many diseases are influenced by multiple environment and genes (heredity), the environment, and gene-environment interactions.

There are several childhood ailments that are rising with no obvious explanation: asthma, allergies and autism. Estimates show that there could be up to 1.5 million autistic people in the United States today. The causes of autism are largely unknown, although a high familial recurrence rate supports a strong genetic component. Autism is a disorder defined by lack of social and communication skills, limited capacity for language, and repetitive patterns of behavior. ...

The ultimate goal of the center is to determine the mechanisms by which chemicals known to be toxic to the developing nervous and immune systems contribute to abnormal development of social behavior in children, leading to strategies for prevention and intervention. Researchers will also identify which combination of environmental exposures most likely contribute to the problem.

This sounds like a heck of a big mouthful for MIND to bite off. So far, we seem to be hearing about many different theories - but none have been pointed out as "the" environmental causes of developmental disabilities. It's hard for me to believe that, given the number of possible culprits and the complexity of the disorders, we'll be getting any definitive answers anytime soon.

Still, it's nice to know that researchers are out there doing their best. And I may well be proved wrong in my skepticism. It did happen once before - back in, I think, 1978....! ;-)