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Mercury Induced Autism

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Comprehensive Guide to Autism

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), also known as a pervasive developmental disorder (PDD), is a behaviorally defined neurodevelopmental disorder that is usually diagnosed in early childhood. Male children are disproportionately diagnosed with an ASD. Mercury (Hg), a heavy metal, is widespread and persistent in the environment. Mercury is a ubiquitous source of danger in fish, drugs, fungicides/herbicides, dental fillings, thermometers, and many other products. Elevated Hg concentrations may remain in the brain from several years to decades following exposure. This is important because investigators have long recognized that, among its detrimental health effects, Hg is a neurodevelopmental toxicant. It is known to cause problems in neuronal cell migration and division and can ultimately cause cell degeneration and death. Case reports of patients have described developmental regressions with symptoms of an ASD following fetal and/or early childhood Hg exposure. Epidemiological studies have linked exposure to Hg with an elevated risk of a patient being diagnosed with an ASD. Immune, sensory, neurological, motor, and behavioral dysfunctions similar to traits defining or associated with an ASD were reported following Hg intoxication with similarities to an ASD diagnosis that extend to the subject’s neuroanatomy, neurotransmitters, and biochemistry.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Institute of Chronic Illnesses, Inc, 14 Redgate Ct., Silver Spring, MD, 20905, USA

    Mark Geier, Janet K. Kern & David A. Geier

  2. The Coalition for Mercury-free Drugs (CoMeD, Inc.), 33 Hoffman Avenue, Lake Hiawatha, NJ, 07034-1922, USA

    Paul G. King

  3. The Coalition for Mercury-free Drugs (CoMeD, Inc.), 3604 Milbrier Pl., Richmond, VA, 23233, USA

    Lisa Sykes

Authors
  1. Mark Geier
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  2. Janet K. Kern
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  3. Paul G. King
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  4. Lisa Sykes
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  5. David A. Geier
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mark Geier .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Westminster, Faculty of Science & Technology, London, United Kingdom

    Vinood B. Patel

  2. Nutritional Sciences Division and Genomics Centre, King's College London, London, United Kingdom

    Victor R. Preedy

  3. Faculty of Society and Health, Buckinghamshire New University, Middlesex, United Kingdom

    Colin R. Martin

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Geier, M., Kern, J.K., King, P.G., Sykes, L., Geier, D.A. (2014). Mercury Induced Autism. In: Patel, V., Preedy, V., Martin, C. (eds) Comprehensive Guide to Autism. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-4788-7_79

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-4788-7_79

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-4787-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-4788-7

  • eBook Packages: Behavioral Science

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