A recent study suggests that mothers exposed to higher levels of a common plastic chemical, Bisphenol A (BPA), may increase the likelihood of their sons being diagnosed with autism. Researchers found that boys fetuses exposed to BPA were six times more likely to receive an autism diagnosis by age 11, with noticeable symptoms appearing as early as age 2.
The study involved monitoring 70 new mothers at The Florey Institute in Melbourne over a decade. Professor Anne-Louise Ponsonby, the lead researcher, noted that previous studies linked plastic chemicals to autism, and this research aims to unravel part of this complex issue.
BPA is commonly used to harden plastics found in everyday items like food containers and water bottles. When these plastics break down, they can enter our bodies, potentially affecting fetal development by inhibiting a crucial enzyme called aromatase, which is vital for males’ development in the womb.
This enzyme plays a crucial role, and without its proper function, male fetuses might be at risk for developmental issues. Interestingly, this absence doesn’t appear to affect females in the same way, as they experience different developmental challenges later in life.
Given the prevalence of plastic in our environment, avoiding BPA altogether is quite challenging. Ponsonby highlighted that people are exposed to plastic chemicals in many aspects of their daily lives, from food packaging to cosmetic products.
The research team extended their investigation by testing BPA on mice, which exhibited behavioral changes consistent with autism symptoms. Dr. Wah Chih Boon noted that they identified a fatty acid that could potentially reverse some negative effects of BPA in these animals, suggesting a promising area for future research.
As findings continue to emerge, they may lead to important changes in public health guidelines regarding exposure to plastic chemicals during pregnancy.
However, some experts urge caution. Professor David Skuse believes that while the theories presented are plausible, correlation does not confirm causation. He also voiced skepticism about using mice as models for human behavior, noting that social communication in humans differs significantly.
Dr. Alex Tsompanidis emphasized the importance of extensive replication of the study’s results to draw definitive conclusions. He also pointed out that autism should not necessarily be viewed as a disorder requiring prevention, but rather as part of neurodiversity in society.
References
Novakovic, B., Herbstman, J. B., Wang, S., Guo, J., Chia, J., Tran, N. T., Hwang, S. E., Britt, K., Chen, F., Kim, T. H., Reid, C. A., … Boon, W. C. (2024). Male autism spectrum disorder is linked to brain aromatase disruption by prenatal BPA in multimodal investigations and 10HDA ameliorates the related mouse phenotype. Nature Communications, 15(1), 6367. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-48897-8