Abstract
Plasma zinc, copper, and amino acid levels have been measured in a group of autistic children. All three variables were found to be normal. These findings are in disagreement with the previously reported results of some other workers but if confirmed would indicate that autism cannot simply be attributed to a disorder of zinc metabolism.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Caldwell, D. F., Oberleas, D., Clancy, J. J., & Prasad, A. S. Behavioural impairment in adult rats following acute zinc deficiency.Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine, 1970,133, 1417–1421.
Davies, I. J. T., Musa, M., & Dormandy, T. L. Measurements of plasma zinc. Part 1. In health and disease.Journal of Clinical Pathology, 1968,21, 359–365.
Delves, H. T., Alexander, F. W., & Lay, H. Copper and zinc concentration in the plasma of leukeomatic children.British Journal of Haematology, 1973,24, 525–531.
Friedman, E. The autistic syndrome and phenylketonuria.Schizophrenia, 1969,1, 249–261.
Halsted, J. A., Hackley, B. M., & Smith, J. C. Plasma zinc and copper in pregnancy and after oral contraceptives.Lancet, 1968,2, 278. (Letter)
Hawkins, J. C. Increased copper/zinc ratios in acrodermatitis enteropathica.Lancet, 1975,1, 1196. (Letter)
Hurley, L. S., & Swenerton, H. Congenital malformations resulting from zinc deficiency in rats.Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine, 1966,123, 692–696.
Kanner, L. Autistic disturbances of affective contact.Nervous Child, 1943,2, 217–250.
Mahanand, D., Wypych, M. K., & Calcagno, P. L. Serum zinc and copper levels in autistic patients and matched controls. In M. Coleman (Ed.),The autistic syndromes. Amsterdam: North Holland Publishing, 1976.
Moynahan, E. J. Zinc deficiency and disturbances of mood and visual behaviour.Lancet, 1976,1, 91. (Letter)
Pfeiffer, C. C., & Llieu, U. A study of zinc deficiency and copper excess in the schizophrenias. In C. C. Pfeiffer (Ed.),Neurobiology of the trace metals zinc and copper. New York and London: Academic Press, 1972.
Piggott, L., Caldwell, D. F., & Oberleas, D. Zinc deficiency, disturbed children and civil rights.Biological Psychiatry, 1974,9, 325–327.
Piper, K. G., & Higgins, G. Estimation of trace metals in biological material by atomic absorption spectrophotometry.Proceedings of the Association of Clinical Biochemists, 1967,4, 190–197.
Round, J. M.Biochemical indicators of bone maturation in adolescence. Doctoral thesis, University of London, 1977.
Rutter, M. The description and classification of infantile autism. In D. W. Churchill, G. D. Alpen, & M. K. DeMyer (Eds.),Infantile autism. Springfield, Illinois: Charles C Thomas, 1971.
Scriver, C. R. Hyperaminoaciduria. In P. B. Beeson & W. McDermott (Eds.),Cecil Loeb textbook of medicine (12th ed.). Philadelphia: Saunders, 1967.
Sunderman, F. W. Current status of zinc deficiency in the pathogenesis of neurological, dermatological and musculoskeletal disorders.Annals of Clinical and Laboratory Science, 1975,5, 132–145.
Weech, A. A. Statistics: Use and misuse.Australian Paediatric Journal, 1974,10, 328–333.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Jackson, M.J., Garrod, P.J. Plasma zinc, copper, and amino acid levels in the blood of autistic children. J Autism Dev Disord 8, 203–208 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01537869
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01537869