The role of environmental trace element toxicants on autism: A medical biogeochemistry perspective.

This review looks at how different metals and minerals in the environment might contribute to autism. Researchers found that autistic children often have higher levels of harmful metals like aluminum, arsenic, and chromium in their blood, and lower levels of helpful minerals like zinc. The study suggests these imbalances might affect brain development and contribute to autism symptoms like difficulties with social skills and language.

This 2023 review examines the role of trace elements and environmental toxicants in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) from a medical biogeochemistry perspective. The authors reviewed 11 elements including aluminum, cadmium, lead, chromium, zinc, copper, nickel, arsenic, mercury, manganese, and iron. Key findings indicate autistic children show elevated blood levels of chromium, arsenic, and aluminum compared to neurotypical children. Zinc deficiency combined with copper excess appears common in autism, with zinc deficiency potentially contributing to seizures.

The review suggests toxic metals, particularly aluminum, may impair socialization and language skills, while certain trace element imbalances may affect gene expression of metallothioneins, potentially influencing ASD pathogenesis.

Findings suggest potential value in monitoring trace element levels in autistic individuals, particularly zinc and copper status. May inform development of targeted nutritional interventions and environmental risk reduction strategies, though causal relationships remain unclear.

As a review paper, findings depend on quality of source studies. No sample size reported and methodology for study selection unclear. Limited information on confounding factors, age ranges, or standardization of measurement techniques across reviewed studies.

Since genetic factors alone cannot explain most cases of Autism, the environmental factors are worth investigating as they play an essential role in the development of some cases of Autism. This research is a review paper that aims to clarify the role of the macro elements (MEs), Trace elements (TEs) and ultra-trace elements (UTEs) on human health if they are greater or less than the normal range. Aluminium (Al), cadmium Cd), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe) have been reviewed. Exposure to toxicants has a chemical effect that may ultimately lead to autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

The Cr, As and Al are found in high concentrations in the blood of an autistic child when compared to normal child reference values. The toxic metals, particularly aluminium, are primarily responsible for difficulties in socialization and language skills disabilities. Zinc and copper are important elements in regulating the gene expression of metallothioneins (MTs), and zinc deficiency may be a risk factor for ASD pathogenesis. Autistics frequently have zinc deficiency combined with copper excess; as part of the treatment protocol, it is critical to monitor zinc and copper levels in autistic people, particularly those with zinc deficiency.

Zinc deficiency is linked to epileptic seizures, which are common in autistic patients. Higher serum manganese and copper significantly characterize people who have ASD. Autistic children have significantly decreased lead and cadmium in urine, whereas they have significantly higher urine Cr. A higher level of As and Hg was found in the ASD individual's blood.