Genetics, More Observations from Attwood

Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have uncovered a new genetic signature that correlates strongly with autism and which doesn’t involve changes to the DNA sequence itself, a finding that may suggest new approaches to diagnosis and treatment. Researchers found higher-than-usual numbers of gene-regulating molecules called methyl groups in a region of the genome that regulates oxytocin receptor expression in people with autism. Previous studies have shown that giving oxytocin can improve social engagement behavior and it’s being explored as a potential treatment, and although the methylation status of the OXTR gene is not a definitive diagnosis of autism by itself, a test for methylation might be used along with other clinical tests for diagnosing autism. Methylation-modifying drugs also may be a new avenue for treatments.

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Photo courtesy of Paul L. Nettles (flickr.com)

I ran across some more interesting points from the recent talk by Dr. Tony Attwood (two T’s, by the way). Among them, and I’m not sure if was kidding: Aspies worldwide who speak English tend to do so with an American accent. Attwood said this might be because they learn so much from reading and from TV, the latter of which even worldwide tends to be dominated by American programming and the former of which teaches how to pronounce words as they’re spelled, not as they’re pronounced.

Among other points: risk of Asperger’s increases with increased age of the parents; Aspies’ “intoxicating” passions and interests also tend to act as “thought blockers” to keep at bay a world they don’t completely understand; many of their behaviors are driven by anxiety and avoidance of emotions they can’t control; and in the past Aspies gravitated toward such professions as monastic lives, exploring, farming, and crafts, and today’s world offers fewer of such opportunities.

A reminder that Attwood’s PowerPoint slides of his Monday YAI presentation are here.

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Faster Times has put up my blog on Elmo. What can one say about Elmo that either Elmo or headachy parents haven’t said already? Nonetheless, I tried.

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We’re sorry to pass on that effective at the end of this month, we’ll no longer be doing AutismVox. It’s been fun, as well as challenging and informative, and we’ll miss connecting daily with the readers. Thanks for all your attention and comments.