Autism Studies and Related Medical Conditions, January 2009 - TACA

Pfeiffer CC, Braverman ER. Zinc, the brain and behavior. Biol Psychiatry. 1982
Apr;17(4):513-32.
The total content of zinc in the adult human body averages almost 2 g. This is
approximately half the total iron content and 10 to 15 times the total body
copper. In the brain, zinc is with iron, the most concentrated metal. The highest
levels of zinc are found in the hippocampus in synaptic vesicles, boutons, and
mossy fibers. Zinc is also found in large concentrations in the choroid layer of the
retina which is an extension of the brain. Zinc plays an important role in axonal
and synaptic transmission and is necessary for nucleic acid metabolism and brain
tubulin growth and phosphorylation. Lack of zinc has been implicated in impaired
DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis during brain development. For these reasons,
deficiency of zinc during pregnancy and lactation has been shown to be related
to many congenital abnormalities of the nervous system in offspring.
Furthermore, in children insufficient levels of zinc have been associated with
lowered learning ability, apathy, lethargy, and mental retardation. Hyperactive
children may be deficient in zinc and vitamin B-6 and have an excess of lead and
copper. Alcoholism, schizophrenia, Wilson's disease, and Pick's disease are brain
disorders dynamically related to zinc levels. Zinc has been employed with success
to treat Wilson's disease, achrodermatitis enteropathica, and specific types of
schizophrenia.
PMID: 7082716 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Raiten DJ, Massaro T. Perspectives on the nutritional ecology of autistic children. J
Autism Dev Disord. 1986 Jun;16(2):133-43.
Dietary intake was assessed in a sample population of 40 autistic and 34 control
children with a 7-day diet record kept by the parent or primary caregiver. A
questionnaire was completed by each participant to obtain descriptive data on
nutrition and health issues, attitudes and beliefs about nutrition, and nutrition
knowledge. The autistic children had significantly greater intake of all nutrients
with the exception of vitamins A and C, and fat; overall adequacy of diets was
similar for both groups. Parent/primary caregivers of autistic children reported a
more positive belief in the relationship between diet and behavior, and a more
positive attitude about the importance of nutrition. A higher incidence of food
cravings, pica, and perceived eating problems were reported by the
parent/caregivers of autistic children.
PMID: 3722115 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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