Autism, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Conundrum

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 In previous decades, the prevalence of neuropsychiatric problems, particularly in

children, has increased, which could be due to a variety of factors. This study will particularly

articulate pathogenic hypothesis of these two types of neuropsychiatric diseases in children,

autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), while evaluating the relations

between different environmental toxins and these two ailments in order to explain this set of

circumstances and evoke sufficient focus. These pathogenic elements, such as heavy metal

lead, mercury, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), will be

discussed, as well as their strong pathogenicity. Both autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and

attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are largely inherited, and genetic risk

variants are difficult to come by. There've been a few studies that investigate specific genetic

variations in whole-gene association analysis, but very few have discovered genetic

affiliations that endorse the afferent and efferent neurotransmitter systems directly implicated

in the lethality of ADHD and ASD symptoms by analyzing multiple gene variations in a

single genome. For example, the principal excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters in the

brain, glutamate and aminobutyric acid, have been linked to the severity of

hyperactivity/impulsivity, while the GABA genome has been linked to inhibition (Transl

Psychiatry,2017).

Autism, often known as autistic disorder, is a type of severe neurological illness

characterized by difficulties with verbal and nonverbal communication, social interaction,

and rigid narrow interests. It commonly arises in youngsters under the age of three and is

more common in boys. With a high morbidity rate, the sex ratio is frequently 4:1 to 6:1.

Autism is a condition that impacts a child's social abilities. Autism spectrum disorder refers
to widespread autism (ASD). ASD affects three to four out of every 1,000 children aged three

to ten. The occurrence has been on the rise in recent years, inflicting major physical and

mental suffering to children, as well as harm to families and society, and has drawn

widespread attention from around the world. In terms of affecting the genesis of ASD,

however, good family setting is the protective measure (Ma et.al,2015).

Most causative investigations on childhood Autism have concluded that it is a

neurodevelopmental disorders produced by external environmental variables affecting people

who are genetically predisposed to it. Meanwhile, social and emotional diseases may be

caused by a malfunction of the limbic system, which is located in the brain's medial temporal

lobe (Psychol Sci. 2001). RAS pathways have also been suggested as a possible explanation

for other Autism symptoms, such as macrocephaly, which occurs in roughly 20% of cases (J

Autism Dev Disorders. 2009). The fast growth of neural cells in the fetal brain causes this

symptom. It could be induced by a disruption in the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling

system or the proliferation of neural stem cells prior to birth. Most causative investigations on

childhood Autism have found that some complications of Autism, such as fragile X syndrome

and tuberous sclerosis (TS), are connected to mutant proteins in the RAS pathway.

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental

disorder that affects childhood and lasts into adulthood. Children with this disease have

trouble concentrating and focusing on a single task. In recent years, a considerable number of

studies have proven that 70% of ADHD symptoms can remain through adolescence, with

30% of them lasting till adulthood. ADHD can be triggered by neurodevelopmental and

developmental issues in children. The illness is most commonly identified in pre-schoolers

and early primary schoolchildren, because they have a structured environment in which

symptoms can emerge. The structure and function of distinct areas of the brain in ADHD
youngsters have been seen to differ. Although no cause has been identified, difficulties during

pregnancy or exposure to environmental contaminants may have an impact on children's

neurodevelopment (National Institute of Mental Health, ADHD 2008). Although the specific

cause of ADHD is unknown, it is commonly accepted that it has a solid neurological

foundation. The condition is thought to be caused by changes in brain anatomy.

To summarize, there may be a link between the detrimental effects of some contaminants and

neurotoxins in the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric disorders such as autism and ADHD,

which are the focus of this review. Over the last few decades, the number of children

diagnosed with these two disorders has risen dramatically, owing to early and extreme

exposure to various chemical poisons such as lead, mercury, PCBs, and PVC. It's worth

noting that children under the age of six who have blood lead levels greater than 10 g/dL are

more vulnerable to environmental toxins throughout early development, and the effects are

more severe, because blood lead levels are strongly tied to direct lead exposure.

Meanwhile, elements such as monoamine neurotransmitters should be taken into account in

the process and mechanism of neural signaling since they are directly linked to children's

behavior, and the monitoring of norepinephrine and serotonin may aid in the comprehension

of children's behavior patterns. Other considerations such as manganese, PAHs, alcoholism,

active and passive smoking, parents' mental health, perinatal conditions, family psychological

disorders, nutrition and diet factors, and air pollutants, particularly PM2.5 and PM10, could

all play a role in children developing these two diseases, while the specific pathogenic

mechanism remains unknown.

References
Ma N, Li L. Effects of fetal environmental factors on brain development. Chin J Child
Health. 2015;23(8):821–823.
National Institutes of Health. What are the autism spectrum disorders? National Institutes of
Health; 2008
Vaccarino FM, Grigorenko EL, Smith KM, Stevens HE. Regulation of cerebral cortical size
and neuron number by fibroblast growth factors: implications for autism. J Autism Dev
Disorders. 2009;39 (3):511–520. doi:10.1007/s10803-008-0653-8