Growing number of chemicals linked with brain disorders in children — ScienceDaily

Toxic chemicals may be triggering the recent increases in neurodevelopmental disabilities among children — such as autism, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and dyslexia — according to a new study from Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) and Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. The researchers say a new global prevention strategy to control the use of these substances is urgently needed.

The report will be published online February 15, 2014 in Lancet Neurology.

"The greatest concern is the large numbers of children who are affected by toxic damage to brain development in the absence of a formal diagnosis. They suffer reduced attention span, delayed development, and poor school performance. Industrial chemicals are now emerging as likely causes," said Philippe Grandjean, adjunct professor of environmental health at HSPH.

The report follows up on a similar review conducted by the authors in 2006 that identified five industrial chemicals as "developmental neurotoxicants," or chemicals that can cause brain deficits. The new study offers updated findings about those chemicals and adds information on six newly recognized ones, including manganese, fluoride, chlorpyrifos and DDT (pesticides), tetrachloroethylene (a solvent), and the polybrominated diphenyl ethers (flame retardants).

The study outlines possible links between these newly recognized neurotoxicants and negative health effects on children, including:

• Manganese is associated with diminished intellectual function and impaired motor skills
• Solvents are linked to hyperactivity and aggressive behavior
• Certain types of pesticides may cause cognitive delays (...)

 buzz wrote: 
Try this one. It's just a hobo link I found in the back of my tool box but it might still work.

 Manbird wrote: 
bad link

 

YaleNews | Follow the genes: Yale team finds clues to origin of autism

Neurons in 'face recognition center' respond differently in autistic brain

Male And Female Brains Have Different Gene Expression - May Explain Autism Differences

From ARI:

Social impairments common to those with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, previously known as DiGeorge syndrome, can resemble symptoms of autism. As a result, many children with this condition, estimated to be as high as 50%, are classified with autism spectrum disorder. However, the two conditions may be unrelated because treatments designed for those with autism may exacerbate anxiety among individuals with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. < http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10803-013-1920-x >

 Manbird wrote: 

 Red_Dragon wrote: 
I almost passed out when I had to tell of crew of 4 machinists to put a lock-out on the plug of their machine when it needed service. 2 sentences, 4 people, one time... 

 Manbird wrote: 
One of my responsibilities in my previous job was training people - 15-50 at a time - to fill out a form designed to feed a program I administered. It was perhaps the most terrifying period of my career.

I avoid speaking in public but once a week I have to give a little 2 paragraph schpeel in front of about 20 people. 
I got stuck on the first sentence and repeated it about 12 times amidst the laughter and haw-hawing - they thought
I was doing it purpose. No one meant any harm but I still didn't feel great the rest of the night. I often do that at
home and it feels good but not so much in public.

 Red_Dragon wrote: 
I thought it was. I could have sworn I read that in some basic literature. Maybe it was something "observed" but never actually studied.

 Red_Dragon wrote: 
that is fascinating

 Red_Dragon wrote: 

i know, it was silly.

 meower wrote: 
heh

 Red_Dragon wrote: 

no, not at all, I was thinking of my silly pun on "sense" people with Autism have "sensory issues"  get it?

 meower wrote: 
are you saying this is a bit of a "duh?"

 Red_Dragon wrote: 

makes sense ()

Study links synaesthesia to autism

 meower wrote: 
I think Shrinks and Pharma have a vested interest in controlling the definitions and the prevalence numbers.

Such as mentioned in the article you posted today

"One of the reasons SPD has been overlooked until now is that it often occurs in children who also have ADHD or autism, and the disorders have not been listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual used by psychiatrists and psychologists."

Breakthrough Study Reveals Biological Basis for Sensory Processing Disorders in Kids
http://www.ucsf.edu/news/2013/07/107316/breakthrough-study-reveals-biological-basis-sensory-processing-disorders-kidsi