The Impact of Bisphenol A on Autism and ADHD
Over the past few decades, the number of individuals being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has significantly increased. Ongoing research is delving into the various factors that contribute to these conditions.
A recent study conducted in 2023 shed light on a crucial difference in how children with autism or ADHD metabolize the common plastic compound bisphenol A (BPA) compared to neurotypical children. BPA is a prevalent component in plastics and is also present in food and drink cans. However, previous research has linked BPA to hormone disruption, including health issues such as breast cancer and infertility.
Researchers from Rowan University and Rutgers University in the US examined three groups of children: 66 with autism, 46 with ADHD, and 37 neurotypical children. They specifically focused on the process of glucuronidation, a detoxification process in which the body eliminates toxins from the blood through urine.
The study revealed that children with ASD and ADHD have reduced efficiency in clearing out BPA and another similar compound called diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) compared to neurotypical children. This inefficiency could lead to prolonged exposure to the toxic effects of these compounds.
According to the researchers, “Detoxification of these two plasticizers is compromised in children with ASD and ADHD. Consequently, their tissues are more exposed to these two plasticizers.”
Although the difference was statistically significant only in the case of BPA, with a reduction in efficiency by about 11% for children with ASD and 17% for children with ADHD compared to the control group, the implications are concerning. The researchers suggest that gene mutations in certain individuals hinder the clearance of BPA, potentially leading to detrimental effects on neuron development and function.
ASD and ADHD are believed to result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors, with this study highlighting the intersection of both. However, it’s essential to note that not every child with a neurodevelopmental disorder displayed issues in eliminating BPA, indicating the presence of other contributing factors.
Further research is essential to unveil the precise mechanisms through which ASD and ADHD manifest in individuals, whether originating during fetal development or later in life. While this study underscores the association between neurodevelopmental disorders and environmental pollutants like plasticizers, it doesn’t definitively prove that BPA exposure causes these conditions.
The researchers concluded, “How significant plasticizer-induced neurodevelopmental disorders are in the overall occurrence of these disorders remains uncertain, but it is likely a substantial contributing factor, as evidenced by this metabolic study.”
The findings of this research were published in PLOS ONE.
This article was originally published in October 2023.
