The male gender bias in autism may be due to preferential depletions of oxytocin and arginine‐vasopressin receptors positive neurons exposed to certain fragrances during fetal development (LB502)

Abstract

The male gender bias in autism may be due to preferential depletions of oxytocin and arginine‐vasopressin receptors positive neurons exposed to certain fragrances during fetal development Leanna Sealey and Omar Bagasra M.D. Ph.D.Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are developmental conditions characterized by deficits in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication, and obsessive/stereotyped patterns of behavior. There is also evidence of impoverished language and empathy, and a profound inability to adopt another's viewpoint ‐ a failure to construct a “theory of mind” for interpreting another person's thoughts and intentions. In developed countries, it is now reported that 1%–1.5% of children have ASD, and in the US 2013 CDC report, approximately one in 80 children suffer from ASD. Although there is no reliable neurophysiological marker associated with ASDs, low levels of plasma oxytocin (OXY) and arginine‐vasopressin (AVP) have been reported. We have hypothesized that synthetic fragrances, which many of us are exposed to on a daily have potential to cause neurological damage to developing fetuses.Notably, the alarming rise in ASD parallels the rise in production of synthetic fragrances from petrochemicals and carcinogenic benzene‐based compounds. Numerous studies have shown that children with autism have significantly lower levels of OXY in plasma samples than their typical peers. Furthermore, in normal children, lower concentrations of OXY in plasma are associated with lower social and cognitive functioning. Here we show that male neuroblastoma cell lines, but not the female, exposure to fentomoles concentrations of certain fragments results in depletions of both OXY and AVP receptor + neurons. Our studies are the first to reveal a direct connection between fragrance exposures as the potential neuropathic agent that may cause autism and explains the gender bias.Grant Funding Source: Department of Education