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Autistic Regression and Exposure to Industrial Chemicals: Preliminary Observations

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 July 2023

Helly Goez Open the ORCID record for Helly Goez [Opens in a new window] ,
Charlene C. Nielsen ,
Sean Bryan ,
Brenda Clark ,
Lonnie Zwaigenbaum ,
Shelby S. Yamamoto  and
Alvaro R. Osornio-Vargas Open the ORCID record for Alvaro R. Osornio-Vargas [Opens in a new window]
Helly Goez*
Affiliation:
Division of Developmental Medicine and Rehabilitation, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), Ottawa, ON, Canada
Charlene C. Nielsen
Affiliation:
School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Sean Bryan
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Brenda Clark
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Lonnie Zwaigenbaum
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Shelby S. Yamamoto
Affiliation:
School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Alvaro R. Osornio-Vargas
Affiliation:
School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
*
Corresponding author: Helly Goez; Email: hgoez@uottawa.ca
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Abstract:

Exposure to industrial pollutants is a potential risk factor not fully explored in ASD with regression (ASD+R). We studied geographical collocation patterns of industrial air chemical emissions and the location of homes of children with ASD+R at different exposure times, compared with ASD cases without regression (ASD−R). Fifteen of 111 emitted chemicals collocated with ASD+R, and 65 with ASD−R. ASD+R collocated more strongly with different neurotoxicants/immunotoxicants a year before diagnosis, whereas ASD−R were moderately collocated with chemicals across all exposure periods. This preliminary exploratory analysis of differences in exposure patterns raises a question regarding potential pathophysiological differences between the conditions.

Résumé:

RÉSUMÉ:

Régression dans le cadre de l’autisme et exposition à des produits chimiques industriels : des observations préliminaires. L’exposition aux polluants industriels est un facteur potentiel de risque qui n’a pas été entièrement étudié dans le cas des troubles du spectre de l’autisme avec régression (TSAR). Nous avons ainsi étudié la configuration géographique des émissions chimiques industrielles dans l’air et l’emplacement du domicile des enfants atteints d’un TSAR, et ce, à différents moments d’exposition et en comparaison avec des cas de TSA sans régression. Au total, 15 substances chimiques émises sur 111 ont été associées à la localisation de cas de TSAR alors que 65 d’entre elles ont été ont été associées à la localisation de cas de TSA sans régression. Du coup, les cas de TSAR ont été plus fortement associés à différentes substances neurotoxiques et immunotoxiques un an avant l’établissement d’un diagnostic tandis que les cas de TSA sans régression ont été modérément associés à des produits chimiques pendant toutes les périodes d’exposition. Cette analyse exploratoire préliminaire des différences en matière de configuration géographique de l’exposition soulève donc une question en ce qui concerne les différences physiopathologiques potentielles entre ces problèmes de santé.

Keywords

Autism regressionchildrenair pollutionindustrial chemicalstoxicantsAlberta
Type
Brief Communication
Information
Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences , Volume 51 , Issue 2 , March 2024 , pp. 289 - 292
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2023. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Canadian Neurological Sciences Federation

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