Do doctors miscode fetal alcohol cases as autism?

Doctors sometimes miscode or misdiagnose **fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD)** cases as **autism spectrum disorder (ASD)** due to overlapping symptoms and a lack of clear diagnostic pathways for FASD. This misclassification can lead to individuals with FASD not receiving the…

Is alcohol a forgotten teratogen in autism debates?

Alcohol is a well-established teratogen—an agent that can cause developmental abnormalities in a fetus—yet its role in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) debates is often overlooked or underemphasized. While fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is recognized as a neurodevelopmental condition caused…

Can alcohol disrupt oxytocin pathways linked to autism?

Alcohol can disrupt oxytocin pathways, which are implicated in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), through complex neurochemical interactions, particularly involving GABAergic systems. Oxytocin, a neuropeptide critical for social bonding and behavior, modulates brain circuits that are often altered in autism. Alcohol…