Recent studies began to uncover the mystery of why autism is four times more often experienced by boys than girls. Research shows that hormones testosterone and estrogen have opposite effects on gene called RORA. In nerve cells, testosterone would reduce the ability of cells to turn on gene expression or RORA. Conversely, estrogen will increase the ability of the cell.
"Autism is highly influenced by gender. The study found high levels of testosterone in the fetus at high risk of causing a child with autism," said lead researcher Valerie Hu, an expert in biochemistry and molecular biology from George Washington University.
Normally, RORA tasks in the cell is turn on other genes. When cells have high testosterone levels, RORA levels will decrease, so that should affect every gene is turned on by RORA. This knowledge obtained from research on nerve cells grown in the laboratory.
The study did not indicate that a low level of RORA will cause autism in addition to the link between these conditions.
Several studies have shown deficiencies RORA can explain various aspects of that seen in children with autism. For example, the gene is supposed to protect nerve cells from the effects of stress and inflammation. Stress and inflammation commonly encountered in the brains of children with autism.
Research also shows that autistic child's brain tissue containing RORA less than healthy children. RORA is also believed to help the body's circadian rhythms. That is why children with autism often have sleep disorders.
In contrast to testosterone, estrogen will increase the level of RORA in the cell. "This means the female fetus will be protected from autism," said Hu.
Indeed RORA not a single gene involved in the occurrence of autism, but according to Hu RORA very important role.
"Autism is highly influenced by gender. The study found high levels of testosterone in the fetus at high risk of causing a child with autism," said lead researcher Valerie Hu, an expert in biochemistry and molecular biology from George Washington University.
Normally, RORA tasks in the cell is turn on other genes. When cells have high testosterone levels, RORA levels will decrease, so that should affect every gene is turned on by RORA. This knowledge obtained from research on nerve cells grown in the laboratory.
The study did not indicate that a low level of RORA will cause autism in addition to the link between these conditions.
Several studies have shown deficiencies RORA can explain various aspects of that seen in children with autism. For example, the gene is supposed to protect nerve cells from the effects of stress and inflammation. Stress and inflammation commonly encountered in the brains of children with autism.
Research also shows that autistic child's brain tissue containing RORA less than healthy children. RORA is also believed to help the body's circadian rhythms. That is why children with autism often have sleep disorders.
In contrast to testosterone, estrogen will increase the level of RORA in the cell. "This means the female fetus will be protected from autism," said Hu.
Indeed RORA not a single gene involved in the occurrence of autism, but according to Hu RORA very important role.
