Autism: the environmental contribution

This review just published in the journal Current Opinion in Pediatrics doesn't attempt a comprehensive analysis of the multiple contributing causes of autism. It is, however, an important proposal by a respected authority in the field. He strongly asserts that environmental neurotoxins be more carefully investigated than they have up to this time. The author notes that genetic factors...

"...account for only a small fraction of cases, and do not easily explain key clinical and epidemiological features." He further states that "Indirect evidence for an environmental contribution to autism comes from studies demonstrating the sensitivity of the developing brain to external exposures such as lead, ethyl alcohol and methyl mercury. But the most powerful proof-of-concept evidence derives from studies specifically linking autism to exposures in early pregnancy - thalidomide, misoprostol, and valproic acid; maternal rubella infection; and the organophosphate insecticide, chlorpyrifos."

The author concludes by summarizing:

"Children today are surrounded by thousands of synthetic chemicals. Two hundred of them are neurotoxic in adult humans, and 1000 more in laboratory models. Yet fewer than 20% of high-volume chemicals have been tested for neurodevelopmental toxicity. I propose a targeted discovery strategy focused on suspect chemicals, which combines expanded toxicological screening, neurobiological research and prospective epidemiological studies."

Many of you reading this may already know that I am using laboratory tools to objectively assess for toxic exposure and metabolism, along with evidence-based physiological interventions that protect and support the capacity of the body to break down and eliminate these ubiquitous poisons.