Autism: a novel form of mercury poisoning

被引:201
作者
Bernard, S [1 ]
Enayati, A [1 ]
Redwood, L [1 ]
Roger, H [1 ]
Binstock, T [1 ]
机构
[1] ARC Res, Cranford, NJ 07901 USA
关键词
D O I
10.1054/mehy.2000.1281
中图分类号
R-3 [医学研究方法]; R3 [基础医学];
学科分类号
1001 ;
摘要
Autism is a syndrome characterized by impairments in social relatedness and communication, repetitive behaviors, abnormal movements, and sensory dysfunction. Recent epidemiological studies suggest that autism may affect 1 in 150 US children. Exposure to mercury can cause immune, sensory, neurological, motor, and behavioral dysfunctions similar to traits defining or associated with autism, and the similarities extend to neuroanatomy, neurotransmitters, and biochemistry. Thimerosal, a preservative added to many vaccines, has become a major source of mercury in children who, within their first two years, may have received a quantity of mercury that exceeds safety guidelines. A review of medical literature and US government data suggests that: (i) many cases of idiopathic autism are induced by early mercury exposure from thimerosal; (ii) this type of autism represents an unrecognized mercurial syndrome; and (iii) genetic and non-genetic factors establish a predisposition whereby thimerosal's adverse effects occur only in some children. (C) 2001 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.
引用
收藏
页码:462 / 471
页数:10
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