Thimerosal Exposure and the Role of Sulfation Chemistry and Thiol Availability in Autism

Janet K. Kern, Boyd E. Haley, David A. Geier, Lisa K. Sykes, Paul G. King and Mark R. Geier
Additional contact information
Janet K. Kern: Institute of Chronic Illnesses, Inc., Silver Spring, MD 20905, USA
Boyd E. Haley: Department of Chemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506, USA
David A. Geier: Institute of Chronic Illnesses, Inc., Silver Spring, MD 20905, USA
Lisa K. Sykes: CoMeD, Inc., Silver Spring, MD 20905, USA
Paul G. King: CoMeD, Inc., Silver Spring, MD 20905, USA
Mark R. Geier: Institute of Chronic Illnesses, Inc., Silver Spring, MD 20905, USA

IJERPH, 2013, vol. 10, issue 8, 1-30

Abstract: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological disorder in which a significant number of the children experience a developmental regression characterized by a loss of previously acquired skills and abilities. Typically reported are losses of verbal, nonverbal, and social abilities. Several recent studies suggest that children diagnosed with an ASD have abnormal sulfation chemistry, limited thiol availability, and decreased glutathione (GSH) reserve capacity, resulting in a compromised oxidation/reduction (redox) and detoxification capacity. Research indicates that the availability of thiols, particularly GSH, can influence the effects of thimerosal (TM) and other mercury (Hg) compounds. TM is an organomercurial compound (49.55% Hg by weight) that has been, and continues to be, used as a preservative in many childhood vaccines, particularly in developing countries. Thiol-modulating mechanisms affecting the cytotoxicity of TM have been identified. Importantly, the emergence of ASD symptoms post-6 months of age temporally follows the administration of many childhood vaccines. The purpose of the present critical review is provide mechanistic insight regarding how limited thiol availability, abnormal sulfation chemistry, and decreased GSH reserve capacity in children with an ASD could make them more susceptible to the toxic effects of TM routinely administered as part of mandated childhood immunization schedules.

Keywords: thimerosal; susceptibility; sulfation; thiols; autism (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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