Autism (Vaccines)

1. THE AUTISM EPIDEMIC Alex Psihogios April 22, 2009

12. Vaccines Containing Thimerosal (CDC, 2008)

14. Summary of evidences supporting that Hg exposure during fetal and/or early childhood periods significantly contributes to the development of ASDs (Geier et al., 2008) Category Support ↑ Hg body-burden * ↑ Hg in ASD baby teeth. * ↑ Hg-associated urinary porphyrins in ASDs. * ↑ or ↓ Hg in ASD hair samples. * ↑ Hg in urine & fecal samples in ASDs. * ↑ Hg in the brain of ASDs. * ↑ Hg in the blood of ASDs. Biochemical susceptibility factors * Abnormalities in transsulfuration metabolites among ASDs associated with ↑ Hg toxicity. ( e.g. ↓ reduced glutathione, ↑ oxidized glutathione, ↓ cysteine, ↓ sulphate, etc.) * ↓ Abnormalities in antioxidant enzymes associated with ↑ Hg toxicity.

15. Summary of evidences supporting that Hg exposure during fetal and/or early childhood periods significantly contributes to the development of ASDs (Geier et al., 2008) Cont’d. Category Support Epidemiological studies * Thimerosal-containing vaccines & biologics linked to ASDs. * Environmental Hg linked to ASDs. Animal models * Low-dose Hg exposure (organic or inorganic) is associated with neuroinflammatory pathology found in ASD brains. * Low-dose thimerosal exposure linked to ASD symptoms & brain pathology in a susceptible ( i.e. ↑ autoimmunity & ↓ antioxidant capacity) mouse model. Male/female ratio * Testosterone co-exposure ↑ Hg poisoning, whereas estradiol co-exposure ↓ Hg poisoning. * More males than females diagnosed with ASDs, and have ↑ testosterone & ↓ estradiol.

16. Summary of evidences supporting that Hg exposure during fetal and/or early childhood periods significantly contributes to the development of ASDs (Geier et al., 2008) Cont’d. Category Support Cellular susceptibility to Hg toxicity * Cultured cells of ASDs have show significant dose- and time-dependent greater susceptibility to Hg-induced cellular toxicity than unaffected controls. * Cultured neuronal cells exposed to low-dose Hg have similar pathology as ASD brains. Similarity of ASD & Hg poisoning * Hg-associated oxidative stress markers among ASDs Temporal association * Symptoms of ASDs emerge within the first several years of life, Hg exposure ( i.e. fetal & early infancy) proceeds development of ASD symptoms.

32. Arguments Against the Correlation Between Autism and Vaccinations Argument Response Thimerosal has been removed from vaccines since 2001 but the rates of autism continue to rise. As of 2008, the CDC lists several vaccinations that still contain more than trace amounts of Thimerosal. Moreover, the introduction of influenza vaccines has provided a full complement of Thimerosal. When Thimerosal was initially removed from vaccines, rates of autism in California significantly decreased. However, after the introduction of the flu vaccine, numbers began to rise again (Cave, 2008). Moreover, environmental mercury exposure may be linked to autism.

33. Arguments Against the Correlation Between Autism and Vaccinations Cont’d. Argument Response Many studies have found no link between autism incidence and vaccines. Four frequently-cited studies failed to find a link (Andrews et al., 2004; Hviid et al., 2003; Madsen et al., 2003; Stehr-Green et al., 2003). Three of these studies were in countries with much lower usage of Thimerosal in vaccines than in the United States, and they had much lower rates of autism in those countries. Additionally, many studies that claim no link between vaccinations and autism fall just short of statistical significance (therefore, almost significant). We can’t discount past and emerging studies that are finding a causal link. These studies tell us that more research is necessary to determine the real effects of toxins in vaccines on children who are genetically predisposed to retain heavy metals.