ADHS durch mütterliches Amalgam

Neurobehavioral effects of developmental methylmercury exposure. S G

Gilbert and K S Grant-Webster

Abstract

Methylmercury (MeHg) is a global environmental problem and is listed by

the International Program of Chemical Safety as one of the six most

dangerous chemicals in the world's environment. Human exposure to MeHg

primarily occurs through the consumption of contaminated food such as

fish, although catastrophic exposures due to industrial pollution have

occurred. The fetus is particularly sensitive to MeHg exposure and

adverse effects on infant development have been associated with levels

of exposure that result in few, if any, signs of maternal clinical

illness or toxicity. High levels of prenatal exposure in humans result

in neurobehavioral effects such as cerebral palsy and severe mental

retardation. Prenatal exposure to MeHg in communities with chronic

low-level exposure is related to decreased birthweight and early

sensorimotor dysfunction such as delayed onset of walking.

Neurobehavioral alterations have also been documented in studies with

nonhuman primates and rodents. Available information on the

developmental neurotoxic effects of MeHg, particularly the

neurobehavioral effects, indicates that the fetus and infant are more

sensitive to adverse effects of MeHg. It is therefore recommended that

pregnant women and women of childbearing age be strongly advised to

limit their exposure to potential sources of MeHg. Based on results from

human and animal studies on the developmental neurotoxic effects of

methylmercury, the accepted reference dose should be lowered to 0.025 to

0.06 MeHg microgram/kg/day. Continued research on the neurotoxic effects

associated with low level developmental exposure is needed.

<http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1518933

http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1518933

Exposure to Methylmercury often occures from methylation of inorganic mercury from amalgam-fillings through gastrontestinal bacteriums (vgl. Björnberg, K.A., Vahter, M., Englund, G.S.: Methylmercury, Amalgams, and Children’s Health. Environmental Health Perspectives 2006 March; 114(3): A149–A150.