Toxic metal(loid)-based pollutants and their possible role in autism spectrum disorder

• Published in: Environmental research Vol. 166; pp. 234 - 250
• Main Authors: Bjørklund, Geir, Skalny, Anatoly V., Rahman, Md. Mostafizur, Dadar, Maryam, Yassa, Heba A., Aaseth, Jan, Chirumbolo, Salvatore, Skalnaya, Margarita G., Tinkov, Alexey A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Inc 01.10.2018
• Subjects: ALUMINIUM; Aluminum; ARSENIC; Autism; Autism Spectrum Disorder - epidemiology; BODY BURDEN; BRAIN; cytokines; environmental factors; Environmental Pollutants - toxicity; ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; ETIOLOGY; GENETICS; Humans; INFLAMMATION; Inflammatory response; LEAD; LYMPHOKINES; MERCURY; Metals, Heavy - toxicity; Neuroinflammation; nonverbal communication; OXIDATION; POLLUTANTS; POLLUTION; PUBLIC HEALTH; REVIEWS; social behavior; stereotyped behavior; therapeutics; TOXICITY; transcription factor NF-kappa B; Autism; Arsenic; Aluminum; Lead; Inflammatory response; Neuroinflammation; Mercury
• ISSN: 0013-9351; 1096-0953; 1096-0953
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2018.05.020

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication, and stereotypic behaviors. Many studies support a significant relationship between many different environmental factors in ASD etiology. These factors include increased daily exposure to various toxic metal-based environmental pollutants, which represent a cause for concern in public health. This article reviews the most relevant toxic metals, commonly found, environmental pollutants, i.e., lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), aluminum (Al), and the metalloid arsenic (As). Additionally, it discusses how pollutants can be a possible pathogenetic cause of ASD through various mechanisms including neuroinflammation in different regions of the brain, fundamentally occurring through elevation of the proinflammatory profile of cytokines and aberrant expression of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). Due to the worldwide increase in toxic environmental pollution, studies on the role of pollutants in neurodevelopmental disorders, including direct effects on the developing brain and the subjects’ genetic susceptibility and polymorphism, are of utmost importance to achieve the best therapeutic approach and preventive strategies. •There is a significant relationship between ASD and various environmental factors.•A possible association exists between ASD and exposure to toxic metals.•Lead, mercury, aluminum, and arsenic may be involved in the etiology of ASD.•Toxic metals may induce neuroinflammation and oxidative stress.•Modulation of toxic metal body burden may improve ASD.