Fourteen years ago, scientists discovered that modern humans carry Neanderthal DNA, a legacy of interbreeding with our extinct cousins. Since then, researchers have linked these ancient genetic variants to various health conditions, including severe COVID-19, autoimmune diseases, and mental health conditions. This new study adds autism to the list, showing that certain Neanderthal-derived genetic markers are more common in individuals with autism than in the general population.

"Our findings suggest that some Neanderthal genetic variants could play a role in autism susceptibility," said Casanova. 

This research sheds light on autism's complex genetic landscape and opens up new possibilities for understanding its origins. It revealed that specific Neanderthal genetic variants are enriched in people with autism compared to ethnically matched control groups. Furthermore, the researchers also found 25 genetic markers linked to the brain that are more common in people with autism. . . .

"We are excited about the potential implications of these findings for autism research," added Casanova. “Understanding the role of Neanderthal DNA in autism could lead to new insights and approaches to diagnosis and a better understanding of the different causes of autism. One example of diagnostics would be the use of these markers in gene panels that could aid in the diagnosis of autism.” 

 All this will come to nothing. I’m sure NIH and others with deep pockets are funding this dead-end stuff, after all it serves lots of other purposes.

First of all, it makes it seem like experts are concerned about autism, and it conveys the message that autism is this really involved mysterious condition.

Second, it makes it look like no one is desperate to find answers. We have all the time in the world to look at autism.

The co-author of the “pioneering work” said, ‘We are excited.’

From the tone of this article, you’d think they were researching left-handedness or varieties of eye colors, not a disorder that affects three to five percent of American children and that is expected to keep on growing.

Autism often leaves children severely disabled and dependent. There is no known prevention or cure for autism.

A third of autistic children regress and lose learned skills, but researchers are curiously disinterested in that phenomenon.

In California alone, the autism rate is one in every 22 children, one in every 14 boys. I hardly think parents will be interested in the “groundbreaking study” from Loyola University. It tells us nothing about autism.

This study too will disappear into irrelevancy. While the opening sentence declares “researchers uncover a primary cause of autism,” it actually reveals nothing, and they know it.

Later in the article the co-author downplayed the study saying, ‘Our findings suggest that some Neanderthal genetic variants could play a role in autism susceptibility.’

In truth, autism something no one really wants to understand. The possible findings from honest, thorough science are too frightening to even consider.

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Vax-Unvax: Let the Science Speak (Children’s Health Defense) Hardcover – August 29, 2023

by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (Author), Brian Hooker PhD

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!

The Studies the CDC Refuses to Do
 
This book is based on over one hundred studies in the peer-reviewed literature that consider vaccinated versus unvaccinated populations. Each study is analyzed, and health differences among infants, children, and adults who have been vaccinated and those who have not are presented and put in context. Readers will find information on:
 

• The infant/child vaccination schedule
• Thimerosal in vaccines
• Live virus vaccines
• The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine
• Vaccination and Gulf War illness
• Influenza (flu) vaccines
• Hepatitis B vaccination
• The COVID-19 vaccine
• Vaccines during pregnancy

 
Given the massive push to vaccinate the entire global population, this book is timely and necessary for individuals to make informed choices for themselves and their families.