A recent study led by researchers from The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio suggests that parents can prevent autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in their children by avoiding toxic exposures and adopting interventions such as environmental house calls. By using the Quick Environmental Exposure and Sensitivity Inventory (QEESI) questionnaire, parents and practitioners can determine the risks for each family and learn which exposures to avoid in their homes, where most people spend the majority of their day. A survey of nearly 8,000 U.S. adults found that parents with high chemical intolerance scores were more likely to have children with autism and ADHD compared to parents with lower scores. The findings support the idea that reducing exposures before and during pregnancy could help prevent autism and ADHD in children.
The study, titled “Assessing Chemical Intolerance in Parents Predicts the Risk of Autism and ADHD in Their Children,” was published in the Journal of Xenobiotics. The researchers, led by Claudia S. Miller, MD, MS, professor emeritus at UT Health San Antonio, note that while the study is observational, further research is needed to confirm causality and explore the proposed mechanisms behind chemical intolerance. They recommend that prospective parents be assessed for chemical intolerance at an early age to facilitate preventive measures and early intervention strategies in families with parental chemical intolerance.
Physician-researcher Miller first proposed the mechanism behind chemical intolerance in 1996 as a two-stage disease process called Toxicant-Induced Loss of Tolerance (TILT). Her research has explored the impact of various environmental exposures on health, including pesticides, toxic molds, and indoor air pollutants. The new study builds upon previous research linking chemical intolerance in parents to the risk of autism and ADHD in their children. The researchers discovered a strong association between chemical intolerance and mast cells, which play a role in the immune response to foreign substances like chemicals and viruses.
The researchers suggest that the rise in autism and ADHD prevalence could be due to environmental toxicants epigenetically influencing mast cell genes, potentially leading to brain inflammation in autism. They propose interventions such as personalized environmental house calls to reduce exposure to triggers like pesticides, fragrances, and tobacco smoke, particularly during pregnancy and childhood. The authors acknowledge the need for further research in this complex and emerging area, while also providing tools and resources for patients, practitioners, and researchers to learn more about the potential role of environmental factors in the global rise of autism and ADHD.
In conclusion, the study highlights the importance of understanding the impact of environmental exposures on neurodevelopmental disorders like autism and ADHD. By identifying individuals at increased risk through tools like the QEESI questionnaire and implementing interventions to reduce personal exposures, parents may be able to prevent these conditions in their children. Further research is needed to confirm the findings and explore the mechanisms behind chemical intolerance and its potential role in the rise of autism and ADHD globally.
