Hair toxic metal concentrations and autism spectrum disorder severity in young children.

Abstract	Previous studies have found a higher body-burden of toxic metals, particularly mercury (Hg), among subjects diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in comparison to neurotypical controls. Moreover, Hg body-burden was associated with ASD severity. This cross-sectional study examined the potential correlation between hair toxic metal concentrations and ASD severity in a prospective cohort of participants diagnosed with moderate to severe ASD. The Institutional Review Board at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas (Dallas, TX) approved the present study. Qualifying study participants (n = 18) were evaluated for ASD severity using the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) and quantitatively for arsenic, Hg, cadmium, lead, chromium, cobalt, nickel, aluminum, tin, uranium, and manganese using hair toxic element testing by Doctor's Data (a CLIA-approved laboratory). CARS scoring and hair toxic element testing were blinded to one another. Increasing hair Hg concentrations significantly correlated with increased ASD severity. In contrast, no significant correlations were observed between any other of the hair toxic metals examined and ASD severity. This study helps to provide additional mechanistic support for Hg in the etiology of ASD severity, and is supported by an increasing number of recent critical reviews that provide biological plausibility for the role of Hg exposure in the pathogenesis of ASDs.
Authors	David A Geier, Janet K Kern, Paul G King, Lisa K Sykes, Mark R Geier
Journal	International journal of environmental research and public health (Int J Environ Res Public Health) Vol. 9 Issue 12 Pg. 4486-97 (Dec 06 2012) ISSN: 1660-4601 [Electronic] Switzerland
PMID	23222182 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
Chemical References	Metals, Heavy Mercury
Topics	Child Child Development Disorders, Pervasive (chemically induced, metabolism) Child, Preschool Cohort Studies Cross-Sectional Studies Female Hair (chemistry) Humans Infant Male Mercury (analysis, toxicity) Metals, Heavy (analysis, toxicity) Prospective Studies Texas

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