The neurotoxic etiology of the autistic spectrum disorders: a replication study

Abstract

Although it has been recognized that autism is a disorder due to dysfunctional central nervous system functioning, a model that can account for the diversity of the symptoms in the syndrome and the concordant anomalies in metabolic functioning, in a sample of 20 autistic individuals, Edelson and Cantor [Edelson S.B., and Cantor D.S. Autism: xenobiotic influences. Toxicol Ind Health 1998: 14 (6): 799-811.] demonstrated a body burden of neurotoxicants in over 90% of these individuals with 100% of these individuals demonstrating impaired liver detoxication processes. This current study examined an independent sample of 39 autistic individuals and was able to replicate the general findings of Edelson and Cantor. We further evidence the genetic and environmental aspects of this hypothetical process and believe the immune system injury secondary to the immunotoxins causes “activation” of the immune system leading to the production of autoantibodies against haptens (brain proteins attached to chemical molecules), and the subsequent damage as part of the process of neurotoxicity in the autistic spectrum. This process has as its final pathway one of free radical generation and molecular injury. This paper can not go into the complex details of this process at this time. All of the above leads to a spectrum of neurodevelopment dysfunction demonstrated as autism.