Womb Testosterone May Prime Autism

I suppose since testosterone raises red blood cell count .. the fact
they have found a link / pyrolluria TO autism .. might make one wonder
if increased red blood cell count would / could be involved .. in
autism.

Testosterone in womb may prime autism
Michael Kahn
Reuters
Wednesday, 12 September 2007

Scientists who have found a link between prenatal exposure to
testosterone and autistic traits say their research leaves many
unanswered questions (Image: iStockphoto)
Children exposed to high levels of testosterone in the womb show more
autism-related traits later in life, according to findings that
suggest the male hormone may play a key role in the complex brain
disorder.

The results support a hypothesis that higher levels of testosterone
may contribute to autism and reinforce findings from tests on animals,
says Professor Simon Baron-Cohen, director of the Autism Research
Centre at the UK's University of Cambridge, who worked on the study.

He calls the findings of the ongoing research promising but cautions
that they did not show a direct link between autism and testosterone
and says other factors could be involved.

None of the 235 children in the study had autism.

"It is a significant correlation and remains significant after you
control for other factors," he said this week at a meeting sponsored
by the British Association for the Advancement of Science.

What is causing the spike in testosterone is not clear, though Baron-
Cohen says environmental factors could be at play.

Autism symptoms range from mild awkwardness seen in Asperger's
syndrome, to severe disability and mental retardation.

No one knows what causes autism, a complex developmental disorder that
includes problems with social interaction and communication.

But earlier this year, scientists published a large study indicating
that autism has numerous genetic causes.

Experts agree that autism, a spectrum of disorders, is likely caused
by environmental factors working on a child with a genetic
predisposition. Testosterone in the womb might be one such factor.

Amniotic fluid

In Baron-Cohen's ongoing study, the researchers measured foetal
testosterone levels from pregnant women who had amniotic fluid taken
for other reasons.

When the children were 8 years old, the researchers used
questionnaires to see whether they preferred social to solitary
activities and how empathetic they were.

This allowed them to measure traits, that in an extreme form, are
indicative of autism.

In the study, children with higher levels of foetal testosterone were
better at things such as remembering patterns but not as interested in
socialising.

The next step is collaborating with Danish researchers to tap a
biological bank that has about 90,000 amniotic fluid samples to test
whether there is a direct link between foetal testosterone and autism.

"This may provide us with a marker to help tell us who might be at
risk," Baron-Cohen says.


Who loves ya.
Tom


Jesus Was A Vegetarian!
http://jesuswasavegetarian.7h.com


Man Is A Herbivore!
http://tinyurl.com/a3cc3


DEAD PEOPLE WALKING
http://tinyurl.com/zk9fk

On Mon, 17 Sep 2007 00:47:01 -0700, "
wrote:

I suppose since testosterone raises red blood cell count .. the fact
they have found a link / pyrolluria TO autism .. might make one wonder
if increased red blood cell count would / could be involved .. in
autism.

Testosterone in womb may prime autism
Michael Kahn
Reuters
Wednesday, 12 September 2007

Scientists who have found a link between prenatal exposure to
testosterone and autistic traits say their research leaves many
unanswered questions (Image: iStockphoto)
Children exposed to high levels of testosterone in the womb show more
autism-related traits later in life, according to findings that
suggest the male hormone may play a key role in the complex brain
disorder.

The results support a hypothesis that higher levels of testosterone
may contribute to autism and reinforce findings from tests on animals,
says Professor Simon Baron-Cohen, director of the Autism Research
Centre at the UK's University of Cambridge, who worked on the study.

He calls the findings of the ongoing research promising but cautions
that they did not show a direct link between autism and testosterone
and says other factors could be involved.

None of the 235 children in the study had autism.

"It is a significant correlation and remains significant after you
control for other factors," he said this week at a meeting sponsored
by the British Association for the Advancement of Science.

What is causing the spike in testosterone is not clear, though Baron-
Cohen says environmental factors could be at play.

Autism symptoms range from mild awkwardness seen in Asperger's
syndrome, to severe disability and mental retardation.

No one knows what causes autism, a complex developmental disorder that
includes problems with social interaction and communication.

But earlier this year, scientists published a large study indicating
that autism has numerous genetic causes.

Experts agree that autism, a spectrum of disorders, is likely caused
by environmental factors working on a child with a genetic
predisposition. Testosterone in the womb might be one such factor.

Amniotic fluid

In Baron-Cohen's ongoing study, the researchers measured foetal
testosterone levels from pregnant women who had amniotic fluid taken
for other reasons.

When the children were 8 years old, the researchers used
questionnaires to see whether they preferred social to solitary
activities and how empathetic they were.

This allowed them to measure traits, that in an extreme form, are
indicative of autism.

In the study, children with higher levels of foetal testosterone were
better at things such as remembering patterns but not as interested in
socialising.

The next step is collaborating with Danish researchers to tap a
biological bank that has about 90,000 amniotic fluid samples to test
whether there is a direct link between foetal testosterone and autism.

"This may provide us with a marker to help tell us who might be at
risk," Baron-Cohen says.

Anyone interested in the foregoing may find the following post to Archives
of Disease in Children regarding this very issue more interesting.

http://adc.bmj.com/cgi/eletters/91/1/2


James Michael Howard

"James Michael Howard" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 17 Sep 2007 00:47:01 -0700, "
wrote:

I suppose since testosterone raises red blood cell count .. the fact
they have found a link / pyrolluria TO autism .. might make one wonder
if increased red blood cell count would / could be involved .. in
autism.

Testosterone in womb may prime autism
Michael Kahn
Reuters
Wednesday, 12 September 2007

Scientists who have found a link between prenatal exposure to
testosterone and autistic traits say their research leaves many
unanswered questions (Image: iStockphoto)
Children exposed to high levels of testosterone in the womb show more
autism-related traits later in life, according to findings that
suggest the male hormone may play a key role in the complex brain
disorder.

The results support a hypothesis that higher levels of testosterone
may contribute to autism and reinforce findings from tests on animals,
says Professor Simon Baron-Cohen, director of the Autism Research
Centre at the UK's University of Cambridge, who worked on the study.

He calls the findings of the ongoing research promising but cautions
that they did not show a direct link between autism and testosterone
and says other factors could be involved.

None of the 235 children in the study had autism.

"It is a significant correlation and remains significant after you
control for other factors," he said this week at a meeting sponsored
by the British Association for the Advancement of Science.

What is causing the spike in testosterone is not clear, though Baron-
Cohen says environmental factors could be at play.

Autism symptoms range from mild awkwardness seen in Asperger's
syndrome, to severe disability and mental retardation.

No one knows what causes autism, a complex developmental disorder that
includes problems with social interaction and communication.

But earlier this year, scientists published a large study indicating
that autism has numerous genetic causes.

Experts agree that autism, a spectrum of disorders, is likely caused
by environmental factors working on a child with a genetic
predisposition. Testosterone in the womb might be one such factor.

Amniotic fluid

In Baron-Cohen's ongoing study, the researchers measured foetal
testosterone levels from pregnant women who had amniotic fluid taken
for other reasons.

When the children were 8 years old, the researchers used
questionnaires to see whether they preferred social to solitary
activities and how empathetic they were.

This allowed them to measure traits, that in an extreme form, are
indicative of autism.

In the study, children with higher levels of foetal testosterone were
better at things such as remembering patterns but not as interested in
socialising.

The next step is collaborating with Danish researchers to tap a
biological bank that has about 90,000 amniotic fluid samples to test
whether there is a direct link between foetal testosterone and autism.

"This may provide us with a marker to help tell us who might be at
risk," Baron-Cohen says.

Anyone interested in the foregoing may find the following post to Archives
of Disease in Children regarding this very issue more interesting.

http://adc.bmj.com/cgi/eletters/91/1/2

Interesting reads, thanks to both of you.

I'm a father of nine-year-old autistic (high functioning) twin boys. I
wonder if the age of the mother at conception might have something to
contribute to the higher levels of testosterone? My wife was 38 at time of
conception, and we are pretty sure that's why she had twins, as women tend
to put out multiple eggs from their ovaries as they grow older. We have
never had DNA testing, but we're pretty certain our boys are fraternal, not
identical. I notice the article says "environmental factors" contributing
to the rise in testosterone in women. Might this explain the "epidemic"
growth of autism in recent decades? Are we talking mostly food here, or
could there be other factors?

Bill "Frisbee" Hileman

On Sep 17, 5:19 pm, "Frisbee®" wrote: I
wonder if the age of the mother at conception might have something to
contribute to the higher levels of testosterone? My wife was 38 at
time of
conception, and we are pretty sure that's why she had twins, as women
tend
to put out multiple eggs from their ovaries as they grow older.

Age related iron accumulation ..

The iron from the meat we eat builds progressively higher and higher
in the body.

Autism has been linked to pyrolluria .. a disease some say doesn't
exist.

Pyrolluria is a disease of increased red blood cell production and
increased iron causes / is called erythrocytosis / increased red blood
cell production.

Whether your child is STILL in a state of increased red blood cell
production or just having the effects OF increased red blood cell
production IE: decreased zinc and/or B vitamins .. is another thing.

It seems the pyrolluria is a route of investigation which seems
promising .. as well as the age related iron accumulation which will
overlap in your research.


Who loves ya.
Tom


Jesus Was A Vegetarian!
http://jesuswasavegetarian.7h.com


Man Is A Herbivore!
http://tinyurl.com/a3cc3


DEAD PEOPLE WALKING
http://tinyurl.com/zk9fk




"James Michael Howard" wrote in messagenews:4a3te3l30s937aqaserr2a2uimhq1d03l8@4ax .com...





On Mon, 17 Sep 2007 00:47:01 -0700, "
wrote:

I suppose since testosterone raises red blood cell count .. the fact
they have found a link / pyrolluria TO autism .. might make one wonder
if increased red blood cell count would / could be involved .. in
autism.

Testosterone in womb may prime autism
Michael Kahn
Reuters
Wednesday, 12 September 2007

Scientists who have found a link between prenatal exposure to
testosterone and autistic traits say their research leaves many
unanswered questions (Image: iStockphoto)
Children exposed to high levels of testosterone in the womb show more
autism-related traits later in life, according to findings that
suggest the male hormone may play a key role in the complex brain
disorder.

The results support a hypothesis that higher levels of testosterone
may contribute to autism and reinforce findings from tests on animals,
says Professor Simon Baron-Cohen, director of the Autism Research
Centre at the UK's University of Cambridge, who worked on the study.

He calls the findings of the ongoing research promising but cautions
that they did not show a direct link between autism and testosterone
and says other factors could be involved.

None of the 235 children in the study had autism.

"It is a significant correlation and remains significant after you
control for other factors," he said this week at a meeting sponsored
by the British Association for the Advancement of Science.

What is causing the spike in testosterone is not clear, though Baron-
Cohen says environmental factors could be at play.

Autism symptoms range from mild awkwardness seen in Asperger's
syndrome, to severe disability and mental retardation.

No one knows what causes autism, a complex developmental disorder that
includes problems with social interaction and communication.

But earlier this year, scientists published a large study indicating
that autism has numerous genetic causes.

Experts agree that autism, a spectrum of disorders, is likely caused
by environmental factors working on a child with a genetic
predisposition. Testosterone in the womb might be one such factor.

Amniotic fluid

In Baron-Cohen's ongoing study, the researchers measured foetal
testosterone levels from pregnant women who had amniotic fluid taken
for other reasons.

When the children were 8 years old, the researchers used
questionnaires to see whether they preferred social to solitary
activities and how empathetic they were.

This allowed them to measure traits, that in an extreme form, are
indicative of autism.

In the study, children with higher levels of foetal testosterone were
better at things such as remembering patterns but not as interested in
socialising.

The next step is collaborating with Danish researchers to tap a
biological bank that has about 90,000 amniotic fluid samples to test
whether there is a direct link between foetal testosterone and autism.

"This may provide us with a marker to help tell us who might be at
risk," Baron-Cohen says.

Anyone interested in the foregoing may find the following post to Archives
of Disease in Children regarding this very issue more interesting.

http://adc.bmj.com/cgi/eletters/91/1/2

Interesting reads, thanks to both of you.

I'm a father of nine-year-old autistic (high functioning) twin boys. I
wonder if the age of the mother at conception might have something to
contribute to the higher levels of testosterone? My wife was 38 at time of
conception, and we are pretty sure that's why she had twins, as women tend
to put out multiple eggs from their ovaries as they grow older. We have
never had DNA testing, but we're pretty certain our boys are fraternal, not
identical. I notice the article says "environmental factors" contributing
to the rise in testosterone in women. Might this explain the "epidemic"
growth of autism in recent decades? Are we talking mostly food here, or
could there be other factors?

Bill "Frisbee" Hileman- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

wrote in message
oups.com...
On Sep 17, 5:19 pm, "Frisbee®" wrote: I
wonder if the age of the mother at conception might have something to
contribute to the higher levels of testosterone? My wife was 38 at
time of
conception, and we are pretty sure that's why she had twins, as women
tend
to put out multiple eggs from their ovaries as they grow older.

Age related iron accumulation ..

The iron from the meat we eat builds progressively higher and higher
in the body.

Autism has been linked to pyrolluria .. a disease some say doesn't
exist.

Pyrolluria is a disease of increased red blood cell production and
increased iron causes / is called erythrocytosis / increased red blood
cell production.

Whether your child is STILL in a state of increased red blood cell
production or just having the effects OF increased red blood cell
production IE: decreased zinc and/or B vitamins .. is another thing.

It seems the pyrolluria is a route of investigation which seems
promising .. as well as the age related iron accumulation which will
overlap in your research.

That seems highly unlikely in our case, since my wife is so iron-deficient,
she had to be hospitalized at one point. This was years after the boys were
born, but still. Her iron numbers were so low, and her red blood cell count
also so low, she could barely function.

On Sep 17, 6:42 pm, "Frisbee®" wrote: That seems highly unlikely in our case, since my wife is so iron-deficient,
she had to be hospitalized at one point. This was years after the
boys were
born, but still. Her iron numbers were so low, and her red blood
cell count
also so low, she could barely function.

Why does it go undetected? Because the initial symptoms, including
fatigue, achy joints and weakness are sometimes misdiagnosed as iron
deficiency.

http://www.advocatehealth.com/system.../eat96656.html


Who loves ya.
Tom


Jesus Was A Vegetarian!
http://jesuswasavegetarian.7h.com


Man Is A Herbivore!
http://tinyurl.com/a3cc3


DEAD PEOPLE WALKING
http://tinyurl.com/zk9fk