A RECENT UPDATE ON AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS (ASD), AND THE ROLE OF METALS
The prevalence of autism has increased over the last several decades, partly as a result of broadening of diagnostic criteria and greater awareness among health professionals. Autism is considered a classical example of multifactorial disorder, as evidenced by an interaction between genetic, perinatal, and environmental factors. Various metals and their regulation in children with autism represent a link between genetic and environmental factors. Here we reviewed various studies that included levels of metals in autism children between years 2000 to 2015 in various regions of the world. The biochemical changes found in relation to changes in levels of those metals was also discussed. Significant changes in levels of many metals were found in autism children compared to normal developing children, with increased levels of copper, aluminium, mercury and decreased zinc and magnesium being the mostly constant findings among different studies. Disturbed metals and trace elements balance contribute to autism pathology, through various mechanisms leading to neuronal toxicity and abnormal synaptic transmission. Explanation of the underlying molecular mechanism is currently underway