Researchers from Rutgers University and Rowan University in the US conducted the study. According to reports, children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and/or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have alterations in their bodies’ metabolism and excretion of bisphenol A (BPA), a plastic additive, in contrast to children who are neurotypical.
Having autism or ADHD is not a cause for shame. Aspects of ADHD and Autism are being examined by the ever-evolving field of medicine in order to gain further insight into these illnesses and create new treatment options. According to a recent study that was covered by ScienceAlert and published in the journal PLOS One, there may be a connection between these two ailments and a common plastic ingredient.
Researchers from Rutgers University and Rowan University in the US conducted the study. According to reports, children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and/or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have alterations in their bodies’ metabolism and excretion of bisphenol A (BPA), a plastic additive, in contrast to children who are neurotypical.
Three sets of children were used in this study: 37 children were neurotypical, 46 children had ADHD, and 66 children had autism. They examined the children’s “glucuronidation” process.
The process through which the body excretes toxins from the blood into urine is called glutaronidation.
According to the study, children with ASD or ADHD were not able to eliminate BPA and DEHP as quickly as neurotypical children. DEHP is a chemical that resembles BPA.
Compared to neurotypical children, children with ASD and ADHD may suffer harmful effects in their bodies for a longer duration due to their decreased elimination efficiency.
“Children with ASD and ADHD have compromised detoxification of these two plasticizers,” the researchers write in their PLOS One publication.
“Consequently, their tissues are more exposed to these two plasticizers.”
The only instance where a statistically significant change was observed was with BPA. It was discovered that children with ASD or ADHD had an 11% worse elimination efficiency.
Medical scientists are continuously conducting research to determine the precise origin of ASD and ADHD.
