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The Epidemiology of Autism Spectrum Disorders
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

The Epidemiology of Autism Spectrum Disorders

Craig J. Newschaffer, Lisa A. Croen, Julie Daniels, Ellen Giarelli, Judith K. Grether, Susan E. Levy, David S. Mandell, Lisa A. Miller, Jennifer Pinto-Martin, Judy Reaven, …
Annual review of public health, v 28(1), pp 235-258
01 Apr 2007
PMID: 17367287
url
https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.publhealth.28.021406.144007View
Published, Version of Record (VoR)Maybe Open Access (Publisher Bronze) Open

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are complex, lifelong, neurodevelopmental conditions of largely unknown cause. They are much more common than previously believed, second in frequency only to mental retardation among the serious developmental disorders. Although a heritable component has been demonstrated in ASD etiology, putative risk genes have yet to be identified. Environmental risk factors may also play a role, perhaps via complex gene-environment interactions, but no specific exposures with significant population effects are known. A number of endogenous biomarkers associated with autism risk have been investigated, and these may help identify significant biologic pathways that, in turn, will aid in the discovery of specific genes and exposures. Future epidemiologic research should focus on expanding population-based descriptive data on ASDs, exploring candidate risk factors in large well-designed studies incorporating both genetic and environmental exposure data and addressing possible etiologic heterogeneity in studies that can stratify case groups and consider alternate endophenotypes.

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Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
Web of Science research areas
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
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