According to US scientists, new evidence has revealed that autism begins when the fetus is in the womb of the mother long before birth.
The study, published in the New England Journal of Medecin, suggests that irregular changes in the fetus's brain while it is long before birth may cause autism symptoms to emerge.
This study reinforces hopes for a better understanding of the state of the brain, which may improve the lives of autistic children.
According to the research team from the Universities of California and San Diego, and the Ellen Institute of Brain Science in Seattle, the study also emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers had tested tissues taken from the brains of 22 infected and non-autistic children aged between two and 15 years.
Researchers carried out tests of the brain's outer part, known as cerebral cortex, to see how it was formed for the brain layers.
The researchers found abnormal developments in this process in 90 percent of children with autism, compared with 10 percent of children who are not infected.
The researchers also said that the changes they had observed in the brain were in areas related to social, emotional and linguistic communication.
The research team noted that the nature of these changes in the brain explains the improvement of some cases of autistic young children if they receive early treatment.
"The occurrence of these changes in the form of irregular patches, not all of the cerebral cortex, gives us hope, as well as a clearer view of the nature of autism," said Eric Korchesini, neuroscience specialist.
Thomas Ansel, director of the National Institute for Mental Health in America, adds: "This irregular brain structure is repeated in some autistic children, and we can expect that the process begins long before childbirth."
"This study highlights a complex disease and is often misunderstood," said Carol Coffey, direc! tor of the Center for the National Association of Autistic People in Britain. This may help us to support some 700,000 autistic people in the United Kingdom, as the disease may have a devastating impact, but appropriate support will make a significant difference. "
