Rudroff Thorsten
Turku PET Centre, Department of Clinical Medicine, Turku University Hospital, University of Turku, 20520 Turku, Finland.
NeuroSci. 2025 Aug 13;6(3):80. doi: 10.3390/neurosci6030080.
This perspective paper proposes a theoretical framework for investigating potential associations between Long COVID and rising autism spectrum disorder (ASD) prevalence through established epidemiological methodologies. I propose examining temporal correlations, biological mechanisms, and rigorous methodological approaches, including Mendelian randomization, animal models, and evidence-based analyses, that could distinguish association from causation. The proposed framework recognizes autism as neurodiversity while suggesting investigation of environmental factors that may influence expression of genetic predispositions. Hypothesized key mechanisms include neuroinflammation, cytokine alterations, and immune dysfunction. I emphasize the critical distinction between demonstrating statistical associations and establishing causal influence, proposing specific experimental designs that could test causality. This paper presents conceptual frameworks requiring future empirical validation and does not include original data analysis.
这篇观点论文提出了一个理论框架，用于通过既定的流行病学方法研究长期新冠与自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）患病率上升之间的潜在关联。我提议研究时间相关性、生物学机制以及严谨的方法学途径，包括孟德尔随机化、动物模型和基于证据的分析，这些方法能够区分关联与因果关系。所提出的框架将自闭症视为神经多样性，同时建议对可能影响遗传易感性表达的环境因素进行研究。假设的关键机制包括神经炎症、细胞因子改变和免疫功能障碍。我强调了证明统计关联与确立因果影响之间的关键区别，并提出了可以检验因果关系的具体实验设计。本文提出了需要未来实证验证的概念框架，不包括原始数据分析。
