Metal exposure in healthy children and those with ASD

Heavy Metals and Trace Elements in Blood, Hair and Urine of Nigerian Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Since the Niger-Delta region of Nigeria is widely known for its petroleum industry and pollution, we aimed to evaluate if Nigerian children diagnosed with ASD carry a greater burden of toxic metals compared to healthy Nigerian children living in the same region. While the ASD group shows a higher metal concentration in blood and hair, combined with low blood zinc levels, we also determined an unusual metal burden in the healthy group but no zinc deficiency.

Read more:
https://escipub.com/irjph-2018-07-2201

Baby teeth link autism and heavy metals, NIH study suggests

Baby teeth from children with autism contain more toxic lead and less of the essential nutrients zinc and manganese, compared to teeth from children without autism, according to an innovative study funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), part of the National Institutes of Health. The researchers studied twins to control genetic influences and focus on possible environmental contributors to the disease. The findings, published June 1 in the journal Nature Communications, suggest that differences in early-life exposure to metals, or more importantly how a child’s body processes them, may affect the risk of autism.

Read more:
https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/baby-teeth-link-autism-heavy-metals-nih-study-suggests


“Toxic Metals and Essential Elements in Hair and Severity of Symptoms among Children with Autism”

Maedica - a Journal of Clinical Medicine is pleased to inform you that your article “Toxic Metals and Essential Elements in Hair and Severity of Symptoms among Children with Autism” has been published in the journal’s first issue for this year, in electronic format.

The article is available at:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3484795/pdf/maed-07-38.pdf


Research: Autism and Efficacy of DMSA therapy

Maedica - a Journal of Clinical Medicine has been published:

“Efficacy of DMSA Therapy in a Sample of Arab Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder”

Eleonore BLAUROCK-BUSCH (1); Omnia R. AMIN (2); Hani H. DESSOKI (3); Thanaa RABAH (4)

  1. Lecturer, researcher and advisor, International Board of Clinical Metal Toxicology & German Medical Association of Clinical Metal Toxicology, Hersbruck, Germany
  2. Associate Prof. of Psychiatry, Cairo University, Egypt
  3. Associate Prof. of Psychiatry- Beni-Suef University, Egypt
  4. Researcher of Public Health and Biostatistics, National Research Center, Egypt

The article is available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3566884/pdf/maed-07-214.pdf


A rare form of autism may be treated with nutritional supplements

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, have identified a rare, hereditary form of autism that may be treatable with nutritional supplements, a new study reports.

Read more:
http://healthland.time.com/2012/09/07/a-rare-but-potentially-treatable-form-of-autism/


A Positive Association found between Autism Prevalence and Childhood Vaccination uptake across the U.S. Population

Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A: Current Issues

Volume 74, Issue 14, 2011

Abstract

The reason for the rapid rise of autism in the United States that began in the 1990s is a mystery. Although individuals probably have a genetic predisposition to develop autism, researchers suspect that one or more environmental triggers are also needed. One of those triggers might be the battery of vaccinations that young children receive. Using regression analysis and controlling for family income and ethnicity, the relationship between the proportion of children who received the recommended vaccines by age 2 years and the prevalence of autism (AUT) or speech or language impairment (SLI) in each U.S. state from 2001 and 2007 was determined. A positive and statistically significant relationship was found: The higher the proportion of children receiving recommended vaccinations, the higher was the prevalence of AUT or SLI. A 1% increase in vaccination was associated with an additional 680 children having AUT or SLI. Neither parental behavior nor access to care affected the results, since vaccination proportions were not significantly related (statistically) to any other disability or to the number of pediatricians in a U.S. state. The results suggest that although mercury has been removed from many vaccines, other culprits may link vaccines to autism. Further study into the relationship between vaccines and autism is warranted.


Epilepsy drug leads to significantly increased risk of autism

CHILDREN whose pregnant mothers take the antiepileptic drug sodium valproate are at significantly increased risk of autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders, according to a newly published report.

Read more:
http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/parenting/epilepsy-drug-leads-to-significantly-increased-risk-of-autism-3371130.html


Mom’s Exposure to Mercury Linked to Kids’ ADHD Symptoms

The health risks of mercury exposure are well documented, and the harms for still-developing fetuses are particularly concerning. Now, the latest study finds that kids who were exposed to more mercury in the womb were more likely to show problems with attention and hyperactivity and other symptoms of ADHD at age 8.

Read more:
http://healthland.time.com/2012/10/09/moms-exposure-to-mercury-linked-to-kids-adhd-symptoms/


Scientists uncover link between gut bacteria and autism

A healthy gut bacteria should be the aim in the prevention and treatment of numerous diseases. Concerned parents and patients must still be made aware that microbiological testing of feces MUST be done in a local laboratory, testing must occur within 24hrs or else bacterial growth continues, leading to false high results, leading to inappropriate treatment (and medical costs).

Read more:
http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/scientists-uncover-link-between-gut-bacteria-and-autism-29285801.html


The role of zinc and copper in autism spectrum disorders

Children with Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) appear to be at risk for Zn deficiency, Cu toxicity, have often low Zn/Cu ratio, and often disturbed metallothionein (MT) system functioning. The evidence presented in this paper suggests that providing Zn to autistic children may be an important component of a treatment protocol, especially in children with Zn deficiency. It is important to monitor and follow the values for both Cu and Zn together during Zn therapy, because these two trace elements are both antagonists in function, and essential for living cells.

Article by Geir Bjørklund

Read article