Proximity to Traffic And Risk of Autism?

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The prevalence of autism in the U.S. continues to increase. Epidemiologic data suggests that it is more likely to occur in urban population than the rural. One of the explanations for this discrepancy has been the maternal farm exposure effect that is protective.

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Results from animal studies as well as human epidemiologic studies indicate that components of air pollution have deleterious effect on brain structure and function.

Reported adverse effects of air population on outcome of pregnancy

Very low and low birth weight
Preterm birth
Infant mortality

Reported adverse effects of components of pollution on CNS

Example: Maternal poly-cyclic aromatic hydrocarbons is linked to impaired cortical function and cognitive developmental delay.

Air pollution-autism study

Dr. Volk and colleagues from the Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California examined the effect of air pollution on the risk for autism. Residential proximity to major roads and freeways was used as a proxy for increased pollution. The results of the study were published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives (2011).

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Study subjects

Case–control study of preschool children
Subjects from from Childhood Autism Risks from Genetics and the Environment (CHARGE) study
304 autism cases and 259 controls
Address and corresponding dates the mother and child lived 3 months before conception and extending to the most recent address

Parameters studied

Distance to the nearest freeway.
Distance to the nearest major road.

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Results of pollution-autism study

Addresses at birth mostly around large population areas like Sacramento, Los Angeles, and the San Francisco East and North Bay.
Living within 309 meters at birth was associated with almost 2-fold increased risk of autism [odds ratio = 1.86; C.I., 1.04–3.45]. The results were not affected by of race or ethnicity.
Effect was mostly seen for mothers exposed during the third trimester.
When analysis was focussed only on moms who did not change their address at al during this period, the risk or the odds ratio was further increased [Odds ratio 2.22].
There no significant impact of proximity to a major road on the risk for autism.

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Biologic plausibility for air pollution increasing risk for pollution

Toxic effects of maternal exposure to air pollutants in animals

Diesel exhaust fumes have endocrine-disrupting activity and alter cognitive function in animals. (Hougaard et al. 2008; Watanabe and Kurita 2001).
Ozone alters neurotransmitter content in brain affecting neural circuits
Benzo[a]pyrene exposure in mice results in decreased neuronal plasticity, increased glutamate receptor problems ands behavioral dysfunction.
Altered immune profile

Epidemiologic data on effects of pollution during early infancy

Early-life exposure to air pollution from indoor gas appliances may be negatively associated with neuropsychological development in early childhood especially among genetically susceptible children.
Higher levels of black carbon correlate with decreased cognitive function of verbal and nonverbal intelligence and memory tasks.
Increased arsenic and nickel, and with diesel PM exposure in early childhood has been linked to autism (Windham et al. 2006).

Potential mechanisms for increased autism risk due to air pollutants

Increased oxidative stress
Pro-inflammatory state

Dr. Minocha's comments about air pollution and autism

Oxidative stress and increased inflammation have been implicated in pathogenesis of autism and also occur in response to various components of air pollution. The interaction of genes and air-pollutants in affecting these pathways and causing autism offer a ripe area for further exploration.

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