Health and Life Sciences, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, VU University, De Boelelaan 1085 T-634, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2013 Aug 6;10(8):3384-408. doi: 10.3390/ijerph10083384.
In recent years concern has risen about the increasing prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Accumulating evidence shows that exposure to neurotoxic compounds is related to ASD. Neurotransmitters might play a key role, as research has indicated a connection between neurotoxic compounds, neurotransmitters and ASD. In the current review a literature overview with respect to neurotoxic exposure and the effects on neurotransmitter systems is presented. The aim was to identify mechanisms and related factors which together might result in ASD. The literature reported in the current review supports the hypothesis that exposure to neurotoxic compounds can lead to alterations in the GABAergic, glutamatergic, serotonergic and dopaminergic system which have been related to ASD in previous work. However, in several studies findings were reported that are not supportive of this hypothesis. Other factors also might be related, possibly altering the mechanisms at work, such as time and length of exposure as well as dose of the compound. Future research should focus on identifying the pathway through which these factors interact with exposure to neurotoxic compounds making use of human studies.
近年来，人们对自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）发病率的上升越来越关注。越来越多的证据表明，接触神经毒性化合物与 ASD 有关。神经递质可能发挥着关键作用，因为研究表明神经毒性化合物、神经递质和 ASD 之间存在联系。在目前的综述中，介绍了有关神经毒性暴露及其对神经递质系统影响的文献综述。目的是确定可能导致 ASD 的机制和相关因素。目前综述中报告的文献支持这样一种假设，即接触神经毒性化合物会导致 GABA 能、谷氨酸能、5-羟色胺能和多巴胺能系统的改变，而此前的研究已经将这些系统与 ASD 联系起来。然而，在一些研究中报告了一些不支持这一假设的发现。其他因素也可能与之相关，可能会改变作用机制，例如暴露的时间和持续时间以及化合物的剂量。未来的研究应集中于确定这些因素与神经毒性化合物暴露相互作用的途径，利用人类研究来实现这一目标。
