Impact the brain through epigenetic mechanisms. Both genetic mutations and epigenetic influences alter gene expression in different cell types of the brain. Mutations impact the expression of large numbers of genes and also have downstream consequences depending on specific pathways associated with the mutation. Environmental factors impact the expression of sets of genes by altering methylation/h
He expression of distinct and likely overlapping gene sets. It seems plausible that the transcriptome of affected individuals reflects contributions from both the genetic background (genotype) and from environmentally mediated changes to the developmental transcription program. In other words, even though ASD is considered a complex genetic disorder, the complexity lies not only in the genetics, b
Ry subtype focus [2] . The broad symptomatic profile of patients with ASD has hampered the search for diagnostic biomarkers of the disorder. Idiopathic (nonsyndromic) ASD, for which an underlying cause has not been identified, represent the majority of cases. Individuals with ASD traced to either single-gene mutations or defined chromosomal/cytogenetic abnormalities (syndromic autism) exhibit char
Ry subtype focus [2] . The broad symptomatic profile of patients with ASD has hampered the search for diagnostic biomarkers of the disorder. Idiopathic (nonsyndromic) ASD, for which an underlying cause has not been identified, represent the majority of cases. Individuals with ASD traced to either single-gene mutations or defined chromosomal/cytogenetic abnormalities (syndromic autism) exhibit char
It is difficult to parse behavioral from physiological influences without direct measurement of the growth spurt. Alternatively, changes in levels of CRP may signify broader shifts in immunocompetence, perhaps particularly in innate immunocompetence, and not be specific to the action of CRP in particular. Outside of the context of chronic disease and pathology, the functional significance of varia
As an anti-inflammatory effect [51]. How other types of physical activity, such as that associated with agricultural lifestyles, relates to immune function is an important locus for future research. The dominant public health discourse concerning CRP is one of pathology and "chronic inflammation", yet for at least a decade human biologists working in non-Western populations have found lower CRP th
Urrent caloric excess, but still have very low absolute levels of adipose tissue. While organisms may use markers of energetic balance to judge whether to embark upon long term energetic projects, such as female reproduction [6], an acute immune response will demand a large amount of energy in a short period of time [3]. Given this, it may be more reliable for organisms to use signals of energetic
N addition, we thank the two anonymous reviewers for their helpful comments, and the Harvard Institute for Quantitative Social Science for statistical assistance.fundingThis research was supported by a National Science Foundation (NSF) Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grant (BCS-0925768), an NSF Senior Research Grant (BCS0921237), and an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship for Shattuck-Heidorn. Rese