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A potential explanation of some established major risk factors for autism

  1. WILLIAM H JAMES

Article first published online: 28 FEB 2012

DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-8749.2012.04225.x

Issue

Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology

Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology

Volume 54, Issue 4, pages 301–305, April 2012

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How to Cite

JAMES, W. H. (2012), A potential explanation of some established major risk factors for autism. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 54: 301–305. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8749.2012.04225.x

Author Information

  1. The Galton Laboratory, Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London, UK.

*Dr William H James at The Galton Laboratory, Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London, UK. E-mail: whjames@waitrose.com

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 9 MAR 2012
  2. Article first published online: 28 FEB 2012
  3. Accepted for publication 8th November 2011. Published online 28th February 2012.

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Baron–Cohen hypothesized that a cause of autism in infants is exposure to high concentrations of intrauterine testosterone concentrations. Some of the subsequent research on this hypothesis has focused on the possibility that the source of this testosterone is the fetus; however, this review shows that if the source is taken to be the mother, then many of the established risk factors for autism could be explained. If that were correct, it would follow that high maternally derived intrauterine androgen concentrations may be a major environmental cause of autism.

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