Study raises questions about mercury exposure and autism: A look at nine children's stories

By oliviacook // 2025-03-04

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Researchers examined nine children with regressive autism to explain the possible link between mercury exposure and autism symptoms.
Eight of the nine children had high mercury levels and showed impaired detoxification ability, despite no major exposure outside of Thimerosal-containing vaccines.
Many children had deficiencies in glutathione, alongside abnormal testosterone and homocysteine levels.
Children experienced developmental regression, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe autism; one child tested positive for Rett syndrome.
While genetics play a role in autism, the study raises concerns about mercury as a potential environmental trigger – warranting further in-depth research.

For years, scientists have studied autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) – a group of conditions that affect behavior, communication and social interaction. While genetics play a major role, researchers are increasingly exploring environmental factors that might contribute to these disorders – with mercury exposure being one possible culprit. A study published April 2007 in the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health Part A examined nine children who were diagnosed with a regressive form of autism – meaning they developed normally at first but then lost skills, such as speech and social engagement, between the ages of 12 and 24 months. The researchers found a striking common factor among these children: They all had signs of mercury toxicity. The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the Institute for Chronic Illnesses and included nine pediatric patients who visited the Genetic Centers of America between June 2005 and February 2006. Each child underwent an extensive medical evaluation, including a thorough review of their medical history and laboratory tests to measure mercury levels in their hair, feces and urine. To rule out other possible causes of autism, the researchers also conducted genetic testing for conditions like Fragile X syndrome and Rett syndrome (except for one child who was diagnosed with Rett syndrome). Brain scans (CT and MRI) were performed to check for structural abnormalities and additional tests assessed thyroid function, exposure to other environmental toxins and metabolic irregularities.

Key findings

Case No. 1: A six-year-old Caucasian male with no family history of developmental disorders exhibited normal development until around 14 months of age, when he suddenly lost his ability to speak. By 24 months, he had received 237.5 micrograms (mcg) of mercury through routine childhood vaccinations (believed to be thimerosal-containing vaccines). His mother had also received a mercury-containing Rho(D)-immune globulin injection during pregnancy. Lab tests later revealed significantly elevated mercury levels in urine and fecal samples, as well as reduced levels of plasma sulfate and glutathione, which made heavy metal detoxification difficult. The child had severe autism symptoms, especially in the areas of sensory processing (cognitive awareness) and social interaction (sociability). Case No. 2. A six-year-old boy regressed at 12 months, losing language skills by 18 months. By 24 months, he had received 237.5 mcg of mercury from vaccines. At age five, urine tests showed elevated mercury and lead levels following chelation therapy and an inability to properly process certain amino acids that are important for brain function. The child also had reduced plasma cystathionine and elevated testosterone levels. He had severe autism, with pronounced cognitive/sensory and social difficulties. Case No. 3. A nine-year-old Caucasian male developed normally until 15 months, then became aggressive and unpredictable. By 21 months, he had received 162.5 mcg of mercury from vaccines and his Rh-negative mother had been administered a mercury-containing immune globulin during pregnancy. Hair and urine analyses revealed mercury retention and elevated lead and cadmium levels. Biochemical tests indicated deficiencies in glutathione and plasma sulfate. His autism symptoms were severe, especially in cognitive/sensory processing and sociability. Case No. 4. A six-year-old Hispanic male showed normal development until 14 to 15 months, when regression began. By 24 months, he had received 200 mcg of mercury from vaccines. At age three, urine tests confirmed elevated mercury levels and by age five, fecal analysis showed persistent mercury presence. Blood analysis indicated reduced glutathione and plasma sulfate. Despite his toxicology results, his autism symptoms were moderate, with challenges mainly in sensory/cognitive awareness and sociability. Case No. 5. A seven-year-old Caucasian male with no family history of developmental disorders displayed normal development until 15 months, followed by a loss of speech. By 24 months, he had received 237.5 mcg of mercury from vaccines. Testing at age six revealed significantly elevated mercury levels and a deficiency in detoxification pathways. His autism symptoms were severe, with pronounced issues in language and cognitive function. Case No. 6. A five-year-old Caucasian male exhibited regression at 13 months after receiving 175 mcg of mercury from vaccines by age 24 months. Biochemical testing revealed significantly reduced glutathione levels and impaired detoxification. Hair and urine analyses post-chelation therapy confirmed increased mercury levels, confirming retention. He had moderate-to-severe autism symptoms, especially affecting language and social interaction skills. Case No. 7. A six-year-old African-American male displayed normal development until 16 months, when he lost speech and social interaction skills. By 24 months, he had received 200 mcg of mercury from vaccines. Testing at age four revealed deficiencies in glutathione metabolism, detoxification issues and mercury retention. He had moderate autism, mainly struggling with communication and social interaction. Case No. 8. A four-year-old Caucasian male exhibited normal development until 18 months, followed by significant regression in speech. By 24 months, he had received 100 mcg of mercury from vaccines. Hair analysis at age two showed low mercury levels but after chelation therapy at age four, mercury levels increased significantly, suggesting his body has been storing it. Biochemical tests indicated deficiencies in glutathione, homocysteine and sulfate. He had mild autism, with the most pronounced effects in sensory and cognitive awareness. Case No 9. A nine-year-old Caucasian female exhibited delayed milestones from birth and never developed fluent speech. Genetic testing confirmed Rett syndrome (caused MECP2 mutation R294X). Biochemical tests showed elevated testosterone and reduced homocysteine levels. She had severe autism symptoms, primarily affecting cognitive function and communication.

Conclusion

Eight of the nine children had regressive autism and displayed high mercury levels, even though they had no significant mercury exposure outside of routine childhood vaccinations containing thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative. Lab tests showed these children had difficulty detoxifying or removing mercury from their bodies due to a deficiency in glutathione, a natural antioxidant crucial for eliminating toxins. One significant discovery was a correlation between the severity of autism symptoms and the total mercury exposure each child had received. Statistical analysis suggests that children with higher mercury exposure tend to show more severe autism symptoms – further raising concerns about the potential link between mercury and neurodevelopmental disorders. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and numerous health organizations have repeatedly stated that there is no proven link between vaccines and autism. However, this study suggests that for a subset of children – particularly those with a genetic predisposition to difficulty in detoxifying heavy metals – mercury exposure from vaccines could play a role in neurological damage that mimics regressive autism. While scientists and health professionals continue to stress the importance of vaccination in preventing deadly diseases, studies like this emphasize the importance of ongoing investigation into how different children respond to environmental toxins. Watch the following video about research investigating the link between autism and toxic chemicals. This video is from the Daily Videos channel on Brighteon.com.

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Key findings

Conclusion

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