| Level of neural alteration | Autism-related genes | Potential environmental factors |
| Sensory receptors | ||
| Olfactory Retinal Cochlear Tongue, gut mucosa Pain, touch | Na, solute channels SCN7A, SCN1A, SLC25A12, SLC40A1, SLC6A4 Na-H exchanger NHE9/SLC9A9 Aquaporin AQP4 Ca channels CACNA1C | Sensory overload Prenatal U/S, other radiation Urban noise, home media Gut allergens, toxins, bacteria Sensory deprivation Decreased sunlight |
| Synapse connections | ||
| Sensory receptors Presynaptic | Na, solute, Ca channels Cell adhesion NXRN1 | Nutritional deficiencies Calcium, vitamin D deficiencies Essential lipids, fatty acids Decreased breast-feeding initiation and duration |
| Postsynaptic | Glutamate, GABA receptors GABRR2 GRIK2 Cell adhesion-neuroligins NLGN3, NLGN4, NLGN4Y | |
| Formation of sensory maps, pathways (end-organ to thalamus, superior colliculus to cortical regions); central deficits (sensory cortex, amygdala) | ||
| Pathway architecture Sensory integration |
| Light deprivation (as per myopia) Sensory overload, deprivation |
| Gut-brain connections | Integrins ITGA4 ITGB3 Interleukin receptor IL1IRAPL1 | Immune/inflammatory factors Rare vaccine reactions |
| Neuroendocrine | Thyroid receptor TRIP, Secretin SCT | Maternal hypothyroidism, diabetes |
| Parental/social interaction (infant touch, gaze stimulation) | Oxytocin receptor OXTR | Maternal depression/drug use Community, family deficiencies |