Vitamin D may Treat Autism Spectrum Disorder

Vitamin D deficiency in pregnant mothers results in high levels of testosterone, which leads to Autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Vitamin D deficiency in pregnant mothers could result in a three-fold higher risk for Autism spectrum disorder in boys, as per a study from The University of Queensland, published in the journal Molecular Autism.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a broad spectrum of disorder due to neuro-developmental delay. It is primarily characterized by social, communication and behavioral challenges.

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Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder typically characterized by impaired social and communication skills combined with repetitive movements.

‘Vitamin D deficiency in pregnant mothers results in high levels of testosterone in the developing brain of the fetus, which leads to Autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This explains why boys have a three-fold higher risk for ASD. ’

Among many genetic and other risk factors, vitamin D deficiency in mothers is considered to contribute to autism spectrum disorder by increasing the levels of testosterone in the developing brain of the fetus as demonstrated in male rats. The low levels of vitamin D were also found in the maternal blood and amniotic fluid.

Role of Vitamin D in Autism Spectrum Disorder:

"In addition to its role in calcium absorption, vitamin D is crucial to many developmental processes. Our research also showed that in vitamin D-deficient male fetuses, an enzyme which breaks down testosterone was silenced and could be contributing to the presence of high testosterone levels", says Professor Eyles from UQ's Queensland Brain Institute.

Quiz on Autism
Autism spectrum disorder is a complex genetic disorder that impairs social, behavioral, and communication functions in humans. Autistic people may act, communicate, interact, and learn differently than most other people. ASD usually begins in childhood and can last for the rest of a person's life, though symptoms may improve over time

Testosterone is a male sex hormone produced by the testicles – male reproductive organ. It is also responsible for male sexual characters and development. In females, the hormone is produced in small amounts by ovaries – female reproductive organ, for proper reproduction and general health.

Vitamin D is responsible for regulating various sex hormones. Earlier studies have shown that the vitamin D supplementation to mice during pregnancy, completely prevented ASD-like traits in their offspring.

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Also, the high-level exposure of testosterone to the developing brain was a cause of ASD, although the mechanisms remained masked. The study thus emphasizes one of the reasons why ASD is more prevalent in males.

"We have only studied one risk factor for ASD -- vitamin D deficiency during development -- our next step is to look at other possible risk factors, such as maternal stress and hypoxia - lack of oxygen - and see if they have the same effect," says Co-author Dr. Ali from UQ's Queensland Brain Institute.

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Autism spectrum disorder – Facts and Figures

1 in 54 children in the U.S. is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
Boys are four times more likely to be diagnosed with ASD than girls
Genetics are involved in the vast majority of autism cases
40 percent of people with autism are nonverbal
Risperidone and Aripiprazole, the only FDA-approved medications for autism-associated agitation and irritability.