Scientists from Rowan University (USA) found that autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and attention deficit disorder (ADHD) are associated with plastic components. The results of the research were published at: magazine PLOS One.
The brain disorders mentioned above occur in early childhood, and the number of people with these diseases is increasing every year. Although scientists do not know the exact reasons for their development, they suggest that the joint action of many factors occurs simultaneously. According to a new hypothesis, the metabolism of plasticizers plays a role in the development of such diseases.
Plasticizers are commonly used plastic components that give the material desired physical properties. Scientists examined two commonly used substances from this group: bisphenol-A (BPA) and diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP).
After these substances enter the body, they are generally excreted in the urine through glucuronidation in the liver. The same process plays a role in the development of neurological diseases in children.
66 children with ASD, 46 children with ADHD and 37 healthy children participated in the study. Urine samples were taken from all subjects. It turned out that the effectiveness of glucuronidation with BPA and DEHP in children of the first and second groups was significantly lower. According to the authors, this suggests that ASD and ADHD may share common developmental mechanisms.
Previously at MSUPU learned Identify autism based on word recognition testing in noise.