What causes genetic mutations, I asked

 Chatgpt:


Great—here are 16 susceptibility factors specifically relevant to neurodevelopmental conditions (like autism, ADHD, intellectual disability, etc.) through genetic mutation or gene expression disruption:

  1. Advanced paternal age – increases de novo mutations in sperm, linked to autism and schizophrenia.

  2. Advanced maternal age – associated with chromosomal abnormalities and some epigenetic risks.

  3. Prenatal infections – especially rubella, CMV, or flu in the first trimester can alter brain development.

  4. Maternal immune activation (MIA) – strong maternal immune response during pregnancy can disrupt fetal brain development.

  5. Fever during pregnancy – linked to increased autism risk, possibly via inflammatory pathways.

  6. Nutrient deficiencies – especially folate, choline, and vitamin D are critical for neural tube and brain development.

  7. Toxic metal exposure – prenatal or early-life exposure to mercury, lead, or arsenic can disrupt neurogenesis and synaptic wiring.

  8. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals – e.g., BPA, phthalates, and PCBs interfere with hormone-regulated gene expression during fetal brain development.

  9. Air pollution (especially fine particles and PAHs) – associated with increased autism and cognitive impairment risk.

  10. Pesticides (organophosphates, glyphosate, DDT residues) – shown to interfere with neural signaling and gene transcription in animal and human studies.

  11. Oxidative stress in utero – damages fetal DNA and is linked to altered neuronal development.

  12. Maternal obesity or diabetes – associated with increased oxidative stress and inflammation, affecting fetal brain epigenetics.

  13. Alcohol exposure (even moderate) – can alter gene expression in fetal neural stem cells.

  14. Psychological stress during pregnancy – chronic maternal stress elevates cortisol and inflammatory markers, which may influence gene expression and fetal brain circuitry.

  15. Perinatal hypoxia or birth trauma – can lead to epigenetic dysregulation and increased susceptibility to neurodevelopmental conditions.

  16. Microbiome imbalance in mother or infant – emerging evidence suggests the gut-brain axis and maternal microbiome influence early brain development via immune and metabolic gene signaling.

Would you like a visual summary or chart for these? Or narrowed down to those most likely to trigger de novo mutations versus epigenetic shifts?


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