A disease caused by many factors, autism is what parents need to know

In recent years, attention and awareness of autism have increased, so much so that many people now recognize it - at least in broad terms - the disease. However, many questions remain concerning the spectrum disorder of autism. In particular, the causes are still unknown. What's certain is that genetics plays a very important role. The confirmation comes from a field expert, biotechnologist Alessandro Gozzi, director of the Neuroimaging Department's functional laboratory in Rovereto.

A Multiphyctoral Disease

Autism is a disease caused by so many different causes that interact with each other. Studies have now confirmed that genetics is one of the dominant risk factors. This does not mean, however, that pathology is entirely hereditary: this can happen in part. In fact, only part of this genetic component is transmitted from generation to generation. As with many other diseases involving the brain, this field is quite complex. For example, many genetic mutations related to autism are new “ ”: they're mutations that the parents of the affected child don't have.

Genetic tests are still impossible

Until now, no autism genes have been identified and DNA tests cannot be done to say for sure whether a child is autism or not. However, many studies have been conducted: Many autic children have undergone genetic testing, and in many cases, but not all of them, mutations have been identified as being able to explain the origin of the disease.

New therapy is very important

Although genetic studies have not yet provided reliable answers to the causes, they are still fundamental because they are helping researchers to understand some of the biological mechanisms that lead to brain dissolutes and symptoms of disease.

Do you know that?

The environment also plays a very important role: pathology stems from interaction between DNA, personal predisposition and external factors. Mothers. al