The mechanism of onset of autism spectrum disorders -The observation from the fetal stage to school age-
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science:Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas (Research in a proposed research area)
Date (from‐to) : 2012/06 -2017/03
Author : KONISHI YUKUO; MURAI Toshiya; MOGAMI Haruta; YAMASHITA Yushirou; KONISHI Yukihiko; KANENISHI Kenji; HANAOKA Uiko; TAJIMA Seiki; MATSUDA Yoshitaka; TAKANO Yuji; NAKAI Akio; TOYOURA Makiko
Since autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is a multifactorial disease with diverse symptoms. Current studies are mainly conducted at a genetic level.However, genetic and environmental factors account for <40 and >60% of ASD cases. As suggested by the DOHaD hypothesis, developmental disorders may be caused by maternal stress and nutritional disorders during pregnancy. Therefore, not all ASD cases can be explained by genetic factors alone.The mechanisms of onset of ASD, have been investigated by observation from the fetal stage to school age. As a result, sleep rhythm disorders were noted before the onset of ASD, frequently complicated by abnormalities of biological rhythms, such as sleep, heart rates, endocrine functions, and core temperature and identified concurrent abnormalities of biological rhythms at cell, organ, and individual levels and among individuals through the course of ASD. Thus, the existing concept of ASD, i.e., social disorder, has been changed.