Autism Genes

28/10/2025

The landmark report we've been waiting for about the underlying causes of autism was released today from the McCullough Foundation. It brings together more than 300 scientific studies which is the most comprehensive review to date, covering genetic, environmental, immune, toxicological, and vaccine-related factors.

Within the 136 studies on vaccines, the report found that 107 studies indicated an association between vaccines or their components and autism or other neurodevelopmental conditions. Importantly, it highlights 12 studies directly comparing fully vaccinated with never vaccinated children, all of which showed superior health outcomes among the never vaccinated, including significantly lower rates of autism and other chronic conditions.

The report also acknowledges additional risk factors such as parental age, prematurity, family history, maternal immune activation, in-utero exposures, environmental toxicants, and gut–brain imbalances. The report emphasises that childhood vaccination, especially when multiple doses are given early, is the most significant modifiable risk factor identified.

The paper further outlines biological mechanisms, including immune dysregulation, mitochondrial dysfunction, neuroinflammation, and the effects of compounds like aluminium and ethylmercury to explain how vaccines could contribute to autism development.

None of this comes as a surprise to us.

This comprehensive review concludes that the entire paediatric vaccine schedule has never been fully tested for long-term neurodevelopmental safety, and calls for urgent re-evaluation.

Authored by a team including Nicolas Hulscher, John Leake, Simon Troupe, Claire Rogers, Kirstin Cosgrove, Nathaniel Mead, Bre Craven, Mila Radetich, Andrew Wakefield, and Peter McCullough, this will hopefully be a turning point in the autism debate.
https://zenodo.org/records/17451259

02/10/2025

A recent study in the Journal of Bacteriology has shown that gut microbes can actually break down food additives, like the thickeners in ice cream or salad dressings, but only when they’re first “primed” with natural plant fibers (like oats or veggies). For decades, scientists thought these additives were completely inert and just passed straight through our body.

This supports what I’ve been teaching at MAPS: your gut bacteria are the body’s first pass at handling toxins and unwanted compounds. We need to ensure good diversity.

Here’s the paper if you’d like to dive in:

Our data reveal a previously unknown potential among members of the human gut microbiota to metabolize artificial cellulose derivatives used in processed food and oral pharmaceuticals, which is driven by plant glycans ubiquitous in well-balanced diets ...

10/09/2025

There is a new Brain & Mitochondria Study in Nature Neuroscience. It has shown that when brain cells make more ATP (their energy fuel), thinking and learning improve.

Why does this matter? Mitochondria (the “powerhouses” of our cells) don’t just make energy, they also help brain cells talk to each other and regulate important brain chemicals like glutamate and GABA.

This study is the first to clearly show that boosting mitochondrial energy directly supports higher-level brain functions, and links energy problems in the brain to sensory-motor challenges often seen in autism and other conditions.

Reference:
Pagano Zottola et al. Potentiation of mitochondrial function by mitoDREADD-Gs reverses pharmacological and neurodegenerative cognitive impairment in mice. Nature Neuroscience, 2025.

Activation of Gs signaling at mitochondria by mitoDREADD-Gs increases mitochondrial metabolism, leading to better memory in mouse models of dementia, directly linking brain mitochondrial deficits to cognitive symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases.

09/09/2025

It's great to see new research on PANS in big name journals like "Nature". Slowly but surely the mainstream medical fraternity are recognising that this is a very real condition which afflicts so many of our Autistic kids.

09/08/2025

I'm looking forward to teaching the Pediatricians all about Autism genomics at the upcoming MAPS conference in Phoenix, Arizona.

📊 Genomic precision meets clinical reality in autism care. At this year’s MAPS Fall Conference, molecular pathologist and autism genomics leader Dr. Heather Way, PhD presents: “The Genomics Underpinning Chronic Illnesses in Autism: A Systems-Based Approach to Clinical Practice.” Dr. Way ble...

21/07/2025

New Autism Study Confirms 4 Distinct Subtypes

Just published in Nature Genetics, a landmark study involving over 5,000 autistic children reveals that autism comprises four biologically distinct subtypes—each with unique symptom profiles, co-occurring challenges, and genetic activity.

1. Social & Behavioural Challenges
Marked difficulties with social interaction and repetitive behaviours, along with high rates of anxiety, ADHD, and OCD, but no developmental delays.

2. Developmental Delay Subtype
Significant delays in milestones such as walking and talking, with fewer behavioural or anxiety issues.

3. Moderate Presentation
Mild to moderate symptoms, no milestone delays, and relatively fewer co-occurring conditions.

4. Broadly Affected
Severe developmental delays, strong autism symptoms, and multiple co-occurring challenges like anxiety and depression.
Importantly, the study shows that different genes are active in different subtypes—and at distinct developmental stages. Some genes act before birth, shaping early brain development, while others influence behaviour and emotional regulation during childhood.

This is powerful validation of what many clinicians already observe: autism is not a one-size-fits-all diagnosis. Each child benefits from a tailored approach based on their genetic and developmental profile.

Full study:

Classes of autism are uncovered with a generative mixture modeling approach leveraging matched phenotypic and genetic data from a large cohort, revealing different genetic programs underlying their phenotypic and clinical traits.

21/07/2025

Dear Families,

We’re excited to share a simple but meaningful update with you.

Our public-facing clinic — where we offer personalised autism genomics support, online Zoom consultations, and practitioner-guided programs — is getting a new name.

The clinic will now be called "Autism Genes".

This new name reflects what we’ve always been about: helping families understand and support their autistic children through the power of genomic science. It’s clearer, easier to remember, and speaks directly to the community we serve.

But rest assured — nothing else is changing.
You’ll still be working with our same dedicated team of qualified nutrigenomics practitioners, all personally trained by Dr Heather Way. Your appointments, reports, and support remain exactly as before.

Behind the scenes, our original research centre TACGA continues as a world-class hub for autism gene research and discovery, led by Dr Heather Way. That work is still going strong and remains at the heart of everything we do.

Think of it this way:
TACGA is our research engine.
Autism Genes is our clinical care team — here to help you every step of the way.

We’re proud of where we’ve come from and even more excited about where we’re going — under a name that truly reflects our passion and purpose.

Thank you for being part of this journey with us.

Warmly,
Dr Heather Way & the Team

www.autismgenes.com
+617 3878 4704
New Clinic Hours
Monday to Friday — 8:30am to 4:30pm

16/07/2025

A major U.S. study has just confirmed what we already know to be true: young children today are being exposed to a wide range of environmental chemicals during their most vulnerable developmental years. Researchers tested urine samples from 201 children aged 2–4, for 111 environmental chemicals:
• 96 were detected in at least five children
• 48 were found in more than half the children
• And 34 chemicals were present in over 90% of the children — including nine that hadn’t been previously monitored at the national level

Some of the chemicals detected including bisphenol S, phthalates, parabens, pesticides, and flame retardants, have been linked in other studies to hormone disruption, neurodevelopmental effects, immune changes, and oxidative stress.

Alarmingly, levels of several chemicals were higher in children than in their own mothers.

This is exactly why we assess detox pathways and look for any genomic blocks— so we can support the safe clearance of these substances. With the right nutrients and interventions, children can detox and thrive. 💚

Study citation:
Oh, J., et al. (2025). Exposures to Contemporary and Emerging Chemicals among Children Aged 2–4 Years in the United States Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Cohort. Environmental Science & Technology.

Prenatal and early life exposure to environmental chemicals can increase the risk of multiple adverse child health outcomes. However, biomonitoring data for young children remain limited. This study leveraged the nationwide Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Cohort to assess ch...