Autism Spectrum Disorder Phenotypes and Prenatal Exposure to Methylmercury
Authors: Edwin van Wijngaarden, et al.
University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
Journal: Epidemiology, July 2013
Summary: There has been speculation about a link between exposure to mercury during pregnancy and autism spectrum disorders, but limited data to support the theory. Researchers studied nearly 1800 mother/child pairs in the Republic of Seychelles, where people eat fish-rich diets and mercury levels are 10-20 higher than in the U.S. There was no association between exposure to mercury from eating a fish-rich diet during pregnancy and autism-like behaviors among 10-year-old children.
*PRESS RELEASE* Study: No Link Between Mercury Exposure and Autism-like Behaviors