Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition affecting 1-2% of children in the USA. Pesticides have been associated with ASD and cognitive impairments, but the mechanisms are poorly understood. Children ages 2-5 years with ASD or typical development (TD) participated in the CHARGE (Childhood Autism Risks from Genetics and Environment) Study starting in 2003. Trained clinicians confirmed all diagnoses using gold standard instruments assessing ASD, cognitive skills, and adaptive function. Interviews with parents obtained sociodemographic and environmental exposure information, including in-home pesticide applications. Blood samples were collected, including PAX tubes for RNA sequencing. We examined blood gene expression in relation to in-home use of pesticide sprays and foggers during pregnancy (use in 6 or more months vs. not at all) in ASD cases and TD controls separately. Among 162 ASD children, 32 genes were differentially expressed in exposed vs. unexposed (unadjusted p
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