P. Lein, Ph.D., discusses evidence suggesting organophosphorus (OP) pesticides may be an environmental risk factor contributing to the increased prevalence of autism. She emphasizes that the rapid rise in autism incidence and incomplete concordance in identical twins indicate that environmental factors must be interacting with genetic susceptibility. Lein details how her research and others’ work focus on the mechanisms of low-level OP exposure, suggesting it disrupts normal neuronal connectivity in the developing brain—a process already thought to be altered in autism. She presents two key hypotheses: that OPs interfere with the Reelin signaling pathway (a known autism-linked protein) and that OPs disrupt the morphogenic role of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in promoting axon growth. Lein concludes the presentation by asserting that while complex, identifying these chemical exposures is crucial because they are a controllable factor for mitigating the expression of autism-related traits, offering actionable steps for parents.P. Lein, Ph.D., discusses evidence suggesting organophosphorus (OP) pesticides may be an environmental risk factor contributing to the increased prevalence of autism. She emphasizes that the rapid rise in autism incidence and incomplete concordance in identical twins indicate that environmental factors must be interacting with genetic susceptibility. Lein details how her research and others’ work focus on the mechanisms of low-level OP exposure, suggesting it disrupts normal neuronal connectivity in the developing brain—a process already thought to be altered in autism. She presents two key hypotheses: that OPs interfere with the Reelin signaling pathway (a known autism-linked protein) and that OPs disrupt the morphogenic role of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in promoting axon growth. Lein concludes the presentation by asserting that while complex, identifying these chemical exposures is crucial because they are a controllable factor for mitigating the expression of autism-related traits, offering actionable steps for parents.
Handouts are online HERE
Published: 06/19/2013
Pamela Lein, Ph.D., is a Professor at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in the Department of Molecular Biosciences. Dr. Lein received her Ph.D. from the State University of New York at Buffalo and her MSEH from East Tennessee State University. She has previously held faculty appointments at Oregon Health and Science University and at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health. Her areas of interest include cell and molecular mechanisms of developmental neurotoxicology, gene environment interactions that influence susceptibility to neurodevelopmental disorders, and the role of the autonomic nervous system in environmentally-induced asthma and cardiovascular disease.
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