Trenna Sutcliffe, M.D.

It is not one gene. It is multiple genes. So anybody with autism, they have multiple genes that have been changed. So there's multiple genetic changes in anybody with autism. And the other thing is, every person who has autism, they probably have a different group of genes that have been changed. It's actually hundreds, and some people say up to like a thousand genes have been

It is not one gene. It is multiple genes. So anybody with autism, they have multiple genes that have been changed. So there's multiple genetic changes in anybody with autism. And the other thing is, every person who has autism, they probably have a different group of genes that have been changed. It's actually hundreds, and some people say up to like a thousand genes have been

associated with autism.

associated with autism.

I agree.

I agree.

Yeah. So we don't know all the genes. We know that there is this genetic component. It's like each child with autism has a different fingerprint with their genetic makeup. And so there's these genetic changes, but some of the hits I mentioned are environmental. So there is research to show maternal stress, pollution. maternal diet, parental age, these things also are associated with autism.

Yeah. So we don't know all the genes. We know that there is this genetic component. It's like each child with autism has a different fingerprint with their genetic makeup. And so there's these genetic changes, but some of the hits I mentioned are environmental. So there is research to show maternal stress, pollution. maternal diet, parental age, these things also are associated with autism.

And again, there's a long list. So there's a long list of things that are associated, but none of them alone, each one alone is not the key to autism. It's the combination.

And again, there's a long list. So there's a long list of things that are associated, but none of them alone, each one alone is not the key to autism. It's the combination.

I wish I had all the answers. I don't. I think it's complex. There have been changes in, you talk about diet, pollution, toxin exposure. I think that's one piece of it. It is one piece. With epigenetics, as you know, it can be epigenetic changes, which Just to clarify for everybody, the DNA sequence is not changed.

I wish I had all the answers. I don't. I think it's complex. There have been changes in, you talk about diet, pollution, toxin exposure. I think that's one piece of it. It is one piece. With epigenetics, as you know, it can be epigenetic changes, which Just to clarify for everybody, the DNA sequence is not changed.

It's about tags on the DNA that can change the expression of genes or proteins called histones that are changed that end up resulting in changed gene expression. But the changed gene expression can actually be inherited or passed through generations as well.

It's about tags on the DNA that can change the expression of genes or proteins called histones that are changed that end up resulting in changed gene expression. But the changed gene expression can actually be inherited or passed through generations as well.

I think it's controversial. I think it's controversial, but there is some thought about that, about the idea of the germ cells in a fetus, in a grandparent being exposed to smoking, toxins, changes in food, how that grandparent exposure affects can actually change methylation in the germ cells of a parent who's a fetus, who then that germ cell goes on to be a child with autism.

I think it's controversial. I think it's controversial, but there is some thought about that, about the idea of the germ cells in a fetus, in a grandparent being exposed to smoking, toxins, changes in food, how that grandparent exposure affects can actually change methylation in the germ cells of a parent who's a fetus, who then that germ cell goes on to be a child with autism.

I don't know if that made sense. It was sort of confusing.

I don't know if that made sense. It was sort of confusing.

I am. The key thing is that we do know the environment impacts the methylation and the epigenetics. So it's the idea of it crossing generations. It's the idea of the methylation in a germ cell is altered or changed because of some sort of environmental exposure in, again, that parent or grandparent.

I am. The key thing is that we do know the environment impacts the methylation and the epigenetics. So it's the idea of it crossing generations. It's the idea of the methylation in a germ cell is altered or changed because of some sort of environmental exposure in, again, that parent or grandparent.