Early postnatal thimerosal administration, in a vaccination-like scheme, causes vast structural damage in rat brain: implication for autism

• Autorzy: Olczak .M. , Duszczyk M. , Mierzejewski P. , Majewska M.
• Języki publikacji: EN

Abstrakty

EN

Thimerosal (THIM), an organomercury compound added to many child vaccines, is a prime suspect as agent causing autism epidemic. Data analysis from Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (CDC,USA) revealed that children immunized with THIM containing vaccines are several times more likely to develop autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders than those, who received THIM-free vaccines. In this study we examined developmental neurotoxic effects of THIM administered to Lewis and Wistar rats i.m. in four equal doses (12 μg Hg/kg to 3 mg Hg/kg) on postnatal days 7–14. Analysis of Hg content in brains of THIM-treated animals showed signifi cant amounts of Hg, which remained there for longer than 30 days. When animals reached maturity their brains were removed and examined for histopathological changes using H&E and immunohistochemistry staining (GFAP, synaptophysin, neurofi laments, dopamine, opiate receptors). Vast structural damage was found in the brains of THIM-treated animals: reduced number of Purkinie cells, ischemic and necrotic changes in the amygdala, ischemic and cell structure abnormalities in the temporal neocortex, dorsal and ventral hippocampus; hippocampal, pontal and cerebellar clasmatodendrosis, loss of synaptic junctions in hippocampus. These neuropathological changes correspond with behavioral alterations observed in THIM-treated rats and seem analogous to structural brain abnormalities found in autistic patients. Funded by EC grant MEXC-CT-2006-42371 to M.D. Majewska.

• Wydawca: -
• Czasopismo: Acta Neurobiologiae Experimentalis
• Rocznik: 2009
• Tom: 69
• Numer: 3
• Opis fizyczny: p.309

Twórcy

autor

Olczak .M.

• Department of Pharmacology and Physiology of the Nervous System, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Warsaw, Poland

autor

Duszczyk M.

• Department of Pharmacology and Physiology of the Nervous System, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Warsaw, Poland

autor

Mierzejewski P.

• Department of Pharmacology and Physiology of the Nervous System, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Warsaw, Poland

autor

Majewska M.

• Department of Pharmacology and Physiology of the Nervous System, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Warsaw, Poland