Author: Elsheshtawy E, Tobar S, Sherra K, Atallah S, Elkasaby R.
Source: Middle East Current Psychiatry.
Year: 2011
Comment:
The researchers state, "In this study, it is evident that levels of mercury and copper in hair are significantly associated with higher CARS scores. This was supported by Adams et al. [19] who found that severity of a child’s autism coincided with the levels of toxic metals excreted in their urine after treatment with metal removal therapy; the higher the levels of antimony and other metals excreted, the more severe was the child’s autism."
Abstract / Excerpt:
“Introduction
Autism is a severe developmental disorder, which involves social withdrawal, communication deficits, and stereotypic repetitive behavior. The possible etiologies that precipitate autism symptoms remain controversial in many cases, but both genetic and environmental factors have been implicated. Mercury has gained much attention for a considerable period of time before other exacerbating or protective factors were suggested. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between autism and the level of some metals (namely mercury, lead, and copper) or zinc as a counteracting antioxidant element.
Methods
The study recruited 32 autistic children and 32 normal controls and all of them were subjected to KID-SCID, Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), Stanford Binet intelligence test, and biochemical analysis of hair samples for the level of mercury, copper, lead and zinc.
Results
There were highly significant differences between the level of these substances in the hair of children with autism compared with controls, positive correlation of CARS score with both mercury and copper, while intelligence quotient has significant negative correlation with the level of lead in the hair. The level of zinc does not correlate with either CARS score or intelligence quotient.
Conclusion
These preliminary results suggest a complementary role for the studied elements in the pathogenesis of autistic disorder, which should be considered in the management plane.”
Citation:
Elsheshtawy E, Tobar S, Sherra K, Atallah S, Elkasaby R. Study of some biomarkers in hair of children with autism. Middle East Current Psychiatry. 2011; 18(1), 6-10.