Why autism?In "Blood hints at autism's source" (SN: 4/16/05, p. 254), researcher S. Jill James implicates low glutathione glutathione: see coenzyme. and heavy metal exposure in autism autism (ô`tĭzəm), developmental disability resulting from a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain. It is characterized by the abnormal development of communication skills, social skills, and reasoning. . This maybe the case, but glutathione has a number of important functions that have nothing to do with heavy metal binding. As an antioxidant antioxidant, substance that prevents or slows the breakdown of another substance by oxygen. Synthetic and natural antioxidants are used to slow the deterioration of gasoline and rubber, and such antioxidants as vitamin C (ascorbic acid), butylated hydroxytoluene , glutathione reduces toxic free radicals. Glutathione is also a key factor in the maintenance of cellular redox redox (rē`dŏks): see oxidation and reduction. poise. It goes without saying that it is also possible that low glutathione is correlated with, but not causative of, autism. TODD P. SILVERSTEIN, WILLAMETTE UNIVERSITY Willamette’s College of Liberal Arts is the undergraduate school on campus. The oldest of the graduate programs is the College of Law, founded in 1883 and located in the Truman Wesley Collins Legal Center. , SALEM, ORE. I would venture that at least part of the explanation for the rise in autism's incidence is related to its recent recognition. When I was a kid, there was no such thing as autism. You can't diagnose something you don't recognize. ANDREW NELSON, SANTA BARBARA, CALIF. Studies published in the past 2 years have investigated the extent to which autism's increasing incidence traces to changes in diagnosis. At least a few of these studies have found that incidence has increased even after accounting for better diagnosis. --J. RALOFF |
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