What causes autism? Exploring the environmental contribution

PJ Landrigan - Current opinion in pediatrics, 2010 - journals.lww.com
PJ Landrigan
Current opinion in pediatrics, 2010journals.lww.com
Expanded research is needed into environmental causation of autism. Children today are
surrounded by thousands of synthetic chemicals. Two hundred of them are neurotoxic in
adult humans, and 1000 more in laboratory models. Yet fewer than 20% of high-volume
chemicals have been tested for neurodevelopmental toxicity. I propose a targeted discovery
strategy focused on suspect chemicals, which combines expanded toxicological screening,
neurobiological research and prospective epidemiological studies.
Summary
Expanded research is needed into environmental causation of autism. Children today are surrounded by thousands of synthetic chemicals. Two hundred of them are neurotoxic in adult humans, and 1000 more in laboratory models. Yet fewer than 20% of high-volume chemicals have been tested for neurodevelopmental toxicity. I propose a targeted discovery strategy focused on suspect chemicals, which combines expanded toxicological screening, neurobiological research and prospective epidemiological studies.
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins