An exciting Emerging Topic review published in Brain Medicine unveils compelling evidence linking air pollution exposure during pregnancy and early childhood to increased autism spectrum disorder (ASD) risk. The analysis highlights how specific pollutants trigger multiple pathogenic mechanisms, potentially disrupting crucial neurodevelopmental processes and increasing susceptibility to ASD, particularly in genetically predisposed individuals.

The timing of exposure appears crucial, with heightened vulnerability during prenatal development and early childhood when critical neurodevelopmental processes occur.

The research suggests that individuals with genetic predisposition to ASD may be more vulnerable to the harmful effects of air pollution exposure

The implications extend beyond individual health to public policy. How might cities need to adapt their urban planning to protect vulnerable populations? What role could air quality monitoring play in prenatal care?

Actually I don’t see why anything would be done to orevent development of autism, when not much was done for all the already known damage that actual urban development cause

Link to the actual article: