Reply #56: You don't seem to understand that autism is a syndrome;

[pnwmom]

the diagnosis is made -- as it was by doctors at Johns Hopkins University in Hannah's case -- if a child has enough of the symptoms.

Also, full autism only has a heritability of 60%; it is only when you include all points on the spectrum -- including the high functioning cases of Aspergers -- that the heritability is as high as 90% (though if it were entirely genetic, as you are so sure, then it should be 100%)-- and it is full autism that is the most debilitating condition. If, through environmental or medical intervention, scientists were able to to prevent full-blown autism, it would be a monumental achievement.

But if you want more sources about connections between environmental factors, including heavy metals, and autism, here are a few. When you're done reading these, there are plenty more.


http://journals.lww.com/co-neurology/Abstract/2010/0400...

Contributions of the environment and environmentally vulnerable physiology to autism spectrum disorders
Herbert, Martha R

Abstract
Purpose of review: This review presents a rationale and evidence for contributions of environmental influences and environmentally vulnerable physiology to autism spectrum disorders (ASDs).

Recent findings: Recent studies suggest a substantial increase in ASD prevalence above earlier Centers for Disease Control figures of one in 150, only partly explicable by data artifacts, underscoring the possibility of environmental contributors to increased prevalence. Some gene variants in ASD confer altered vulnerability to environmental stressors and exposures. De-novo mutations and advanced parental age as a risk factor for ASD also suggest a role for environment. Systemic and central nervous system pathophysiology, including oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction can be consistent with a role for environmental influence (e.g. from air pollution, organophosphates, heavy metals) in ASD, and some of the underlying biochemical disturbances (such as abnormalities in glutathione, a critical antioxidant and detoxifier) can be reversed by targeted nutritional interventions. Dietary factors and food contaminants may contribute risk. Improvement and loss of diagnosis in some with ASD suggest brain circuitry amenable to environmental modulation.

Summary: Prevalence, genetic, exposure, and pathophysiological evidence all suggest a role for environmental factors in the inception and lifelong modulation of ASD. This supports the need for seeking targets for early and ongoing medical prevention and treatment of ASD.

Also:


1. Goth, Samuel R., Ruth A. Chu, Jeffrey P. Gregg, Gennady Cherednichenko, and Isaac Pessah. "Uncoupling of ATP-mediated Calcium Signaling and Dysregulated IL-6 Secretion in Dendritic Cells by Nanomolar Thimerosal." Environmental Health Perspectives 114.7 (2006).
2. Rose, Shannon, Stepan Melnyk, Alena Savenka, Amanda Hubanks, Stefanie Jernigan, Mario Cleves, and S. Jill James. The Frequency of Polymorphisms affecting Lead and Mercury Toxicity among Children with Autism. American Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, 4 (2), pp. 85-94. (2008).
3. Gallagher, Carolyn, Melody Goodman. Hepatitis B triple series vaccine and developmental disability in US children aged 1-9 years, Journal Toxicological & Environmental Chemistry. 90 (5) (Sep 2008): 997-1008
4. Gallagher, C.M. , M.S. Goodman. Hepatitis B Vaccination of Male Neonates and Autism. Annals of Epidemiology. 19 (9) (Sep 2009): 651-680.
5. Windham, Gayle C., Lixia Zhang, Robert Gunier, Lisa A. Croen, Judith K. Grether. "Autism Spectrum Disorders in Relation to Distribution of Hazardous Air Pollutants in the San Francisco Bay Area." Environmental Health Perspectives. 114 (9) (Sep 2006)
6. Palmera, Raymond F., Steven Blanchard, Zachary Stein, David Mandell, Claudia Miller. Environmental mercury release, special education rates, and autism disorder: an ecological study of Texas. Health & Place. 12 (2) (2006) : 203-209
7. Natif, Robert, Corrinne Skorupka, Lorene Amet, Alain Lam, Anthea Springbett, Richard Lathe. Porphyrinuria in childhood autistic disorder: Implications for environmental toxicity. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, 214 (2006): 99?108.
8. Woods JS, Armel SE, Fulton DI, Allen J, Wessels K, Simmonds PL, Granpeesheh D, Mumper E, Bradstreet JJ, Echeverria D, Heyer NJ, Rooney JP. ?Urinary porphyrin excretion in neurotypical and autistic children.? Environmental Health Perspectives. 118(10) (2010 Oct): 1450-7.
9.Burbacher, Thomas M., Danny D. Shen, Noelle Liberato, Kimberly S. Grant, Elsa Cerniciari, Thomas Clarkson. ?Comparison of Blood and Brain Mercury Levels in Infant Monkeys Exposed to Methylmercury or Vaccines Containing Thimerosal?, Environmental Health Perspectives, 113 (8) (Aug 2005): 1015-21.

Also, here is a link to the Harvard/Mass General center. It lists other centers across the country, none of which employ "cranks."

http://www.mgh.harvard.edu/research/researchlab.aspx?id...

More on the Transcend Center:

Mission

TRANSCEND’s mission is to improve outcomes in autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) by using sophisticated and coordinated objective measures to characterize what can be changed in these conditions.
By looking at brain problems at several integrated levels and in a whole body systems context, we aim to maximize understanding and maximize our ability to find ways to help.
By applying cutting-edge science, measurement technologies and informatics to treatment research and clinical-behavioral practice, TRANSCEND aims to minimize suffering, optimize quality of life for individuals and families, and maximize chances for individuals to reach their full potential - now.

Unique, Whole Body Approach
TRANSCEND’s partners work from a model of autism that describes a complex whole body condition with many treatable facets.

Brain as part of the body
We look at the brain not just as an information-processing computer but also as a physical organ that is part of the body.
We think that the way the brain processes sensory, emotional and social information is related to the health of the cells of the brain, which can be related to the health of cells in the body.
We think that changes in the way the brain processes sensory, emotional and social information might come from physical changes in the cells of the brain related to some kinds of physical illness in the body (especially immune problems), and not just from the brain developing differently before a baby is born.
Brain and body problems in autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders and how they develop

We suspect that the relationship of health problems and brain/behavior problems may develop in close relationship to each other.
Therefore we look at how brain and body problems develop early in autism and how these brain and body problems may relate to each other early on