Professor of Pharmacology

Northeastern University

Boston, Massachusetts

Summary

The developmental disorder autism has both genetic and environmental origins, and its forty-fold increase during the past two decades reflects an increased role for environmental factors. It has been proposed that increased use of vaccines containing the ethylmercury derivative thimerasol is the major contributing factor. Published research from my laboratory has revealed that thimerosal is an exceptionally potent inhibitor of biochemical pathways that transfer single carbon atoms between molecules. These “methylation” pathways are critically involved in several important functions including the regulation of gene expression and the molecular mechanism of attention. Recent studies from my lab indicate that thimerosal exerts its toxic effect on methylation by interfering with formation of the active form of vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin. Dietary B12 must be converted to methylB12 (methylcobalamin) in order to assist in the transfer of single-carbon methyl groups from the folic acid pathway by the enzyme known as methionine synthase. By reducing methylB12 formation, thimerosal inhibits this enzyme and thereby interferes with methylation events. Autistic children have abnormal plasma levels of methylation-related metabolites and exhibit higher frequencies of genetic mutations that affect this pathway.  These genetic risk factors make them less able to detoxify thimerosal and also increase their sensitivity to its mechanism of toxicity. In many cases, autism can be effectively treated by the administration of methylB12 along with other agents that augment methylation capacity. Taken together, these facts indicate that increased exposure to thimerosal has combined with genetic risk factors in a sensitive subpopulation to cause the recent rise in autism.

Outline

1. The Puzzle of Autism

2. Physiological and Biochemical Roles of Methylation

3. Activity of Methionine Synthase

4. Effects of Thimerosal and Heavy Metals

5. Autism-associated Metabolic and Genetic Abnormalities

6. Methylation-related Treatments for Autism

7. Conclusions

1. The Puzzle of Autism

Autism is a pervasive developmental disorder characterized by deficits in language, attention, cognition and learning, frequently accompanied by abnormal behavior including social isolation, repetitive activity and emotional lability. Severe deficits may be recognized at birth, but a failure to achieve standard milestones during initial years of life remains the primary basis of diagnosis in most cases. While the underlying cause(s) remains obscure for many developmental disorders, metabolic abnormalities (e.g. Lesch-Nyhan Syndrome and adenylsuccinate lyase deficiency) or impaired methylation-dependent gene silencing and/or imprinting (Rett and Fragile-X Syndromes) (1-4) suggest biochemical mechanisms that may be involved. Development disorders can also be caused by exposure to toxins (e.g. ethanol, in fetal alcohol syndrome; heavy metals, in lead poisoning) (5,6), although the precise molecular mechanisms underlying their toxicity are not known. The recent increase in the incidence of autism has led to speculation that environmental exposures including vaccine additives (i.e. aluminum and the ethylmercury-containing preservative thimerosal) might contribute to the triggering of this developmental disorder (7).

Based upon a high concordance in twin studies, genetic factors are thought to play an important role in causing autism. However, it is clear that the recent dramatic rise in autism rates is not caused by a genetic phenomenon. The more likely scenario is that autism is caused by the interaction of genetic risk factors with environmental risk factors and the importance of the environmental factors has increased during the past twenty years.  As illustrated in Fig. 1, the “Puzzle of Autism” therefore is the challenge of understanding exactly which genes provide the inborn risk, and which environmental factor(s) is serving as the trigger. The molecular mechanism at the intersection of genetic and environmental factors should be capable of accounting for the observed symptoms of autism, and knowledge of this mechanism should help identify effective treatments for autism. The findings summarized in this report indicate that impairment in the biochemical pathways that allow for the transfer of single carbon groups (i.e. methylaion) is a major factor contributing to the cause(s) of autism.

Boil parsley bunch in water for 20 min(water turns green).  Let cool, drink the fluid.

-Add Cranberry capsules.

Yeast infections:

CandiGONE and ParaGONE

(purchase at www.renewlife.com/products/detail/paragone.)

*** We suggest Carlson’s brand which can be purchased in our clinic.  For patients who are Vegan, we offer UDO’s oil (a plant based option)

• Avoid long periods of standing or sitting.  Take rest periods several times during the day to elevate your legs above heart level.
• Avoid crossing your legs.
• After bathing, apply castor oil directly over the problem veins and massage from the feet up.
• Avoid scratching the itchy skin above the varicose veins.  Scratching can cause ulceration and bleeding.

“A pessimist is someone, who, when confronted with two unpleasant choices, selects both.” Anon

“The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all possible worlds, and the pessimist fears that this is true.”  James Cabell 

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters Health) May 09

Several experts urged lawmakers on Thursday to prohibit the use of dental fillings containing mercury, claiming that the fillings are toxic and dangerous to humans.

Meanwhile, the American Dental Association (ADA) maintained that the fillings are safe and that no evidence has been found to show that they pose a threat to patients.

Mercury comprises approximately half the weight of common silver amalgam fillings.  The fillings are the least expensive available and are also the most common found in the mouths of Americans.

Mercury is known to be highly toxic, causing renal toxicity, neurological degeneration, and other health related problems.  Some researchers and consumers groups blame mercury in fillings and childhood vaccines for the rise in autism rates among US children.

But many experts still disagree over whether mercury in fillings can reach toxic levels in the human body.

Several US federal agencies have deemed the fillings suitable for human use.  The FDA issued a statement in December 2002 saying that the results of a wide scientific review indicated thte “studies did not support claims that individuals with dental amalgam restorations will experience health problems.

But several experts disagree, saying that the US government has ingnored key evidence illustrating the health threat of mercury fillings.

“I can’t believe that anybody would say that amalgams are not toxic,” Dr. Boud E. Haley, chair of the department of chemistry at the University of Kentucky, told members of a House of Government Reform subcommittee.

Dr. Haley reviewed several studies, including one conducted by the National Institutes of Health in 1998 showing that soldiers with amalgam fillings had 4.5 times the levels of mercury in their urine as did soldiers without fillings.

Other studies have suggested a direct link between a mother’s number of fillings and mercury levels in the hair of fetuses and newborns.

Dr.  Maths Berlin, a professor emeritus of environmental medicine at the University of Lund, Sweden, said that his research shows that mercury fillings are dangerous to fetuses.  “Amalgam should not be used for dental restoration in women of child – bearing age or in children,” he said.

But an ADA official testifying before the committee said that there has been “misinformation” about these fillings.  “The major US and international scientific bodies have all stated that dental amalgam is a safe restorative material, “ said Dr. Frederick C Eichmiller, the director of the American Dental Association Health Foundation.

A Bipartisan group of lawmakers is pushing ahead with a bill that seeks to ban most sales of mercury for us in dental fillings by 2008.  The bill would also require dentists in the meantime to inform patients that amalgam fillings contain mercury and that mercury is toxic.

A ton of conflicting information….what a surprise!  I generally err on the side of conservatism and innate logic when scientists bicker.  Mercury is a neurotoxin and subsequently should be avoided at all costs.  Whether amalgam fillings actually leak or whether the amount of mercury in them is enough to create toxicity, I’m not interested in finding out.  I recommend locating a dentist who is conservative with the health of your mouth and overall body and who will use composite fillings rather than amalgam.  In SLO, we recommend Dr. Ruan Ross on Marsh St.  Dr. Ross and his staff provide exceptional care and ensure you walk out just as healthy as when you walked in!!!

Onwards and Upwards,

Dr. Rex