If you speak with parents of autistic children, you may soon sense strong ongoing controversies on the origin, diagnosis, and treatment of the collection of symptoms broadly called "autism." The National Institute of Health describes autism as a "pervasive developmental disorder" that is onset in early childhood ages.
Thimerosal Debate Continues
The mercury-based vaccine preservative, thimerosal, is highlighted in an upcoming September 2011 article published in Behavioural Brain Research. The authors, Olczak et al, are affiliated with various organizations based in Warsaw specializing in forensic medicine, pharmacology, physiology, neurophysiology, biology, and environmental science.
Olczak et al mentioned their earlier research involving dosing rats with various levels of thimerosal, including doses equivalent to the amount that may or may not have been present in some infant vaccines. In that prior work, they concluded that the doses caused "lasting alterations in the brain opioid system in rats."
Their more recent study investigated the behavioral changes of animals at various thimerosal dose levels. In their September abstract, they did not explain how those tested dose levels compare to any reported to have been used in some infant vaccines and whether any vaccines may still contain thimerosal.
After dosing the rats, the team observed male and female rat behavior impairments that they considered autistic, i.e. social interaction, spatial learning, and anxiety. They report that the adult male and female rats who received dosing of the entire range of thimerosal manifested impairments of movement and emotional response, specifically, "locomotor activity and increased anxiety/neophobia." While dopamine was mentioned in the article, the research abstract did not appear to elaborate in detail on the dopaminic mechanisms.
The abstract was not clear to reviewer whether each animal was given all of the targeted doses or just one of the levels along the dosing range they cited. They did say that the highest doses appeared to decrease "prosocial interaction" in both males and females while males also exhibited increased "asocial/antisocial interaction" behavior.
Olczak et al did not confirm a link between behavioral changes in children exposed to thimerosal, but did suggest that they "could contribute." The debate continues.
Disclaimer: The information and links contained in this article are for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a licensed medical doctor for advice.This is an editorial review only. Readers should refer to original cited sources to ensure accuracy and for any interpretation of source material.
Other articles related to research for illness in children by Melanie Hundley include: New Research: Police Work and Autism, New Research: Asperger Syndrome and Depression, New Research: Type 1 Diabetes Increases in Young Children and Warts and Kids: Questions to Ask Your Doctor.
Sources
- Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC). (February 22, 2011). Ingredients of vaccines: fact sheet. Retrieved July 1, 2011, from CDC government website.
- Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC). (February 8, 2011). Thimerosal. Retrieved July 1, 2011, from CDC government website.
- Davidson College. (1999). Receptors and Ligands. Retrieved July 1, 2011, from Davidson Animal Physiology online course content.
- National Institute of Health. (April 2011). Autism. Retrieved July 1, 2011, from PubMed Health online database.
- National Institute of Health. (December 2010). Immunizations: general overview. Retrieved July 1, 2011, from PubMed Health online database.
- Olczak, M., Duszczyk, M., Mierzejewski, P., Meyza, K., & Majewska, M. (2011). Persistent behavioral impairments and alterations of brain dopamine system after early postnatal administration of thimerosal in rats [Abstract]. Behavioural Brain Research, Vol 223(1), 107-118. Retrieved July 1, 2011, from EBSCOhost online database. DOI:10.1016/j.bbr.2011.04.026.
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services & U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2010). Thimerosal in Vaccines. Retrieved July 1, 2011, from government database.
