자폐의 유전적 요소 외에 미토콘드리아 문제가 부각된다는 논문들

[마운틴듀2]

https://www.facebook.com/share/1F1GgMGKR9/

Lyndsy Moffatt

On September 15, 2026, the National Autistic Society published a statement saying that, following a review of 83 research papers, the charity was stating “definitively, for the first time, that autism is genetic.”

I find this statement deeply concerning, especially because they go even further by suggesting that saying otherwise can be harmful.

But when you actually look at the claims being made and compare them with the broader body of published research, there is much more to this conversation than their statement suggests.

They made a number of claims that can be easily disproven.

Let’s look at the research and evidence for ourselves. ⬇️

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“Environmental toxicants and autism spectrum disorders: a systematic review”

Rossignol, Genuis & Frye (2014), Translational Psychiatry

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3944636/

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“Maternal exposure to air pollution and risk of autism in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis”

Chun, Leung, Wen, McDonald & Shin (2020), Environmental Pollution

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31733973/

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“Gene × Environment Interactions in Autism Spectrum Disorders: Role of Epigenetic Mechanisms”

Tordjman et al. (2014), Frontiers in Psychiatry

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4118875/

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“Epigenomic Strategies at the Interface of Genetic and Environmental Risk Factors for Autism”

LaSalle (2013), Journal of Human Genetics

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3955092/

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“DNA Methylation: A Mechanism Linking Environmental Chemical Exposures to Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorders?”

Keil & Lein (2016), Environmental Epigenetics

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4856164/

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“The Contribution of Environmental Exposure to the Etiology of Autism Spectrum Disorder”

Bölte, Girdler & Marschik (2019), Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6420889/

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“Environmental Risk Factors for Autism: An Evidence-Based Review of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses”

Modabbernia, Velthorst & Reichenberg (2017), Molecular Autism

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5356236/

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“A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Multiple Airborne Pollutants and Autism Spectrum Disorder”

Lam et al. (2016), PLOS ONE

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5031428/

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“Exploring the Association Between Early-Life Air Pollution Exposure and Autism Spectrum Disorders in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis”

Amnuaylojaroen, Parasin & Saokaew (2024), Reproductive Toxicology

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0890623824000492

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“Prenatal Exposure to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Association With Autism Spectrum Disorder in the MARBLES Study”

Oh et al. (2021), Environment International

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7856021

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“Prenatal Exposure to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and Childhood Autism-Related Outcomes”

Braun et al. (2023), Epidemiology

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10074577/

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“Prenatal Maternal Serum Concentrations of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Association With Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual Disability”

Long et al. (2019), Environmental Health Perspectives

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6014693/

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“DNA Methylation: A Mechanism Linking Environmental Chemical Exposures to Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorders?”

Keil & Lein (2016), Environmental Epigenetics

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4856164/

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“Understanding Environmental Contributions to Autism: Causal Concepts and the State of Science”

Hertz-Picciotto, Schmidt & Krakowiak (2018), Autism Research

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29573218/

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“The Role of Genetics, Epigenetics, and the Environment in ASD: A Mini Review”

Khogeer et al. (2022), Epigenomes

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9222497/

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“Intercontinental Insights Into Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Synthesis of Environmental Influences and DNA Methylation”

Kuodza, Kawai & LaSalle (2024), Environmental Epigenetics

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11658417/

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“Association Between Heavy Metals Exposure (Cadmium, Lead, Arsenic, Mercury) and Child Autistic Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis”

Ding, Shi, Qie, Li & Xi (2023), Frontiers in Pediatrics

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10353844/

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“Autism Spectrum Disorder: Cadmium and Mercury Concentrations in Different Biological Samples, a Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis of Human Studies”

(2024), Heliyon

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38496888

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“Association Between Heavy Metals Exposure (Cadmium, Lead, Arsenic, Mercury) and Child Autistic Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis”

Ding, Shi, Qie, Li & Xi (2023), Frontiers in Pediatrics

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10353844/

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“Environmental Pollutants as Risk Factors for Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Cohort Studies”

Duque-Cartagena et al. (2024), BMC Public Health

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11370099/

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“Maternal Exposure to Pesticides and Autism or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorders in Offspring: A Meta-Analysis”

Yan et al. (2023), Frontiers in Public Health

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9839607/

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“A Twin Study of Heritable and Shared Environmental Contributions to Autism”

Frazier et al. (2014), Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4104233/

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“Environmental Pollutants as Risk Factors for Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Cohort Studies”

Duque-Cartagena et al. (2024), BMC Public Health

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11370099/

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“Maternal Diabetes and the Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorders in the Offspring: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis”

Xu et al. (2014), Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4181720/

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“Association of Maternal Diabetes With Autism Spectrum Disorders in Offspring: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis”

Wan et al. (2018), Medicine

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5943853/

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“Exposure to Inorganic Arsenic and Lead and Autism Spectrum Disorder in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis”

Wang et al. (2019), Chemical Research in Toxicology

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31549506/

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“Maternal Diabetes During Pregnancy and Offspring’s Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis”

Garza-Martínez et al. (2025), Journal of Psychiatric Research

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39809006/

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“Gestational Exposure to Valproate and Autism Spectrum Disorder or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Offspring: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis”

Andrade et al. (2025), Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40059353/

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“Association of Prenatal Exposure to Antiseizure Medication With Risk of Autism: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis”

(2025), Seizure: European Journal of Epilepsy

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40354746/

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“Sex-Dependent Vulnerability to Early-Life Phthalates Exposure and Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Systematic Review”

(2026), Frontiers in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/child-and-adolescent-psychiatry/articles/10.3389/frcha.2026.1865057/full

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“Prenatal and Infant Exposure to Ambient Pesticides and Autism Spectrum Disorder in Children: Population Based Case-Control Study”

von Ehrenstein et al. (2019), BMJ

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6425996/

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“Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Prenatal Residential Proximity to Agricultural Pesticides: The CHARGE Study”

Shelton et al. (2014), Environmental Health Perspectives

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4181917/

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“Polychlorinated Biphenyl and Organochlorine Pesticide Concentrations in Maternal Mid-Pregnancy Serum Samples: Association with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual Disability”

Lyall et al. (2017), Environmental Health Perspectives

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5332182/

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AUTISM CANNOT BE EXPLAINED BY GENETICS ALONE.

Genetics clearly matter in some cases. But so does the ENVIRONMENT! And researchers continue to investigate environmental influences including air pollution, pesticides, maternal health and nutrition, medications, heavy metals, vaccines, and many other prenatal and early-life exposures.

So when someone says simply “autism is genetic,” they’re leaving out an enormous and still-developing part of the scientific picture.

This isn’t speculation. There are systematic reviews and meta-analyses examining these associations.

If we’re serious about understanding autism, environmental research deserves to be part of the conversation.

They also added “You’re born autistic and you’re autistic for life.”

But then what do they have to say about these published papers? ⬇️

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“Case Study: Rapid Complete Recovery From An Autism Spectrum Disorder After Treatment of Aspergillus With The Antifungal Drugs Itraconazole And Sporanox”

Baker & Shaw (2020), Integrative Medicine (Encinitas)

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7572136/

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“‘Recovery’ from the Diagnosis of Autism – and Then?”

Barnevik Olsson et al. (2015), Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4397923/

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“When an Early Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder Resolves, What Remains?”

Blumberg et al. (2019), Journal of Child Neurology

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30860939/

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“Overall Prognosis of Preschool Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnoses”

Brignell et al. (2022), Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews

https://www.cochrane.org/evidence/CD012749_what-proportion-preschool-aged-children-diagnosed-autism-spectrum-disorder-retain-their-diagnosis

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“Reversal of Autism Symptoms among Dizygotic Twins through a Personalized Lifestyle and Environmental Modification Approach: A Case Report and Review of the Literature”

D’Adamo et al. (2024), Journal of Personalized Medicine

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11205016/

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“Case Study: Deterioration, Autism, and Recovery in Two Siblings”

Perry, Cohen & DeCarlo (1995), Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7896656/

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“Executive Functioning in Individuals with a History of ASDs Who Have Achieved Optimal Outcomes”

Troyb et al. (2014), Child Neuropsychology

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3902134/

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People are recovering. My own son recovered from profound autism. Before/after video:

https://youtu.be/iy0SvOQB9Ek?si=wCT6Cy4OBYin2MQ6

I have also helped many of my clients reverse their child’s autism diagnosis. Testimonial video:

https://youtu.be/SuLWiGrvufo?si=gzfW5QhtEjdNCtS8

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Science doesn’t advance by declaring the conversation over. It advances by continuing to ask questions, investigating conflicting evidence, and following the data wherever it leads.

Our genes did not suddenly change in a few decades. Autism preval‎ence did. Better recognition and broader diagnostic criteria explain a part of that increase, but they do not make research into environmental and other non-genetic contributors irrelevant.

And look at the global preval‎ence map. Geographic differences in estimated autism preval‎ence are striking and deserve further investigation.

This is exactly why I founded the Autism Biomedical Research Foundation. ❤️

We need more research willing to investigate the whole picture, including environmental exposures, epigenetics, metabolic and biological factors, and most importantly to scientifically document HOW children are recovering to improve outcomes for EVERYONE!

If you believe this research deserves to be pursued, please consider supporting our mission. Every donation helps us work toward better research, better answers, and a deeper understanding of autism for future generations.

Help us fund the research that still needs to be done and investigate the pathways that may help more children recover and reach their fullest potential. ❤️

We already have hundreds of families signed up and ready to participate in these studies. We have over 20 of the world’s best doctors and research scientists READY to help these families and publish the findings. Now we need the funding to turn these families, their experiences, and the data into meaningful research to change the conversation, to educate the public, and to help more families recover. 🙏

If you want to be part of creating real change for families affected by autism, please help us make this research happen NOW.

Every donation, no matter the size, brings us one step closer to funding the research families have been waiting for. ❤️

Help us make it possible ⬇️
https://www.autismbiomedicalresearch.org

Every dollar truly counts. 🙏