Heavy Metal Toxicity: A Potential Risk Factor for Autism
Zehra Akdağ1, Oytun Erbaş1
1ERBAS Institute of Experimental Medicine, Illinois, USA & Gebze, Türkiye
Keywords: Autism spectrum disorder, heavy metals, neurotoxicity
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) encompasses a diverse range of conditions characterized by difficulties in social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech, and nonverbal communication. It is important to note that ASD does not have a single identifiable cause; rather, it arises from the complex interplay between genetic susceptibility and exposure to environmental factors. Impacting approximately 1% of all children, autism spectrum disorder is linked to toxic heavy metals and other potential environmental hazards that may contribute to its development, in conjunction with intricate genetic elements. This review aims to establish a connection between heavy metals and autism, presenting findings from experimental studies that investigate the relationship between heavy metal exposure and autism.
Cite this article as: Akdağ Z, Erbaş O. Heavy Metal Toxicity: A Potential Risk Factor for Autism. JEB Med Sci 2023;4(3):192-196.
The authors declared no conflicts of interest with respect to the authorship and/or publication of this article.
The authors received no financial support for the research and/or authorship of this article.