"TORONTO -- Autism can be triggered by abnormal levels of lipid molecules in the brain that affect the interaction between two key neural pathways in early brain development in the womb, researchers at York University have learned.

The scientists discovered that environmental causes such as exposure to chemicals in some cosmetics and common over-the-counter medications can affect the levels of these lipids.

Autism is a primary disorder of brain development with symptoms ranging from mild to severe and including repetitive behavior, deficits in social interaction, and impaired language. It is four times more prevalent in boys than in girls and the incidence continues to rise."

Environment News Service had the story April 9, 2014. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"Lipid Levels During Prenatal Brain Development Implicated In Autism" (Science 2.0) [3]

"Autism Numbers Jump Yet Again, To 1 in 68 Kids" (Lakeland Times) [4]

"Autism Begins as Brain Cells Altered in Womb, Study Finds" (Bloomberg) [5]