News Coverage
Study suggests mercury-autism link
Blood Tests Show Lower Levels of Detoxifying Enzyme
Published December 14, 2004
ST. LOUIS - Children with autism might process mercury differently than most children, leaving them susceptible to damage from preservatives in vaccines and other sources of the heavy metal, according to a controversial report released yesterday.
The report, by the independent Environmental Working Group, highlights the research of S. Jill James, a professor of biochemistry and pediatrics at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
James conducted blood tests on 20 children with autism and compared them with blood samples from 33 children who do not have autism. She found lower levels of a mercury-detoxifying chemical, glutathione, in the blood of autistic children.
The enzyme also helps rid the body of other heavy metals that might damage cells and organs.
James also found that supplementing the autistic children's diets with a combination of folinic acid, betaine and methyl vitamin B-12 brought glutathione levels back to levels seen in the children in the control group.
The studies again raise concerns that some genetically susceptible children are more prone to neurological damage when exposed to mercury and other toxic substances in the environment. Vaccines, fish and dental amalgam fillings have been fingered as sources of mercury.
The vaccine connection to the disorder has been the subject of intense debate. Parents and some scientists say the use of a mercury-based preservative called thimerosal in vaccines corresponded with an explosion in the number of autism cases. Thimerosal was taken out of vaccines in 2002, but the rate of autism remains at the same level as before it was removed.