Glutathione is making headlines again with the recent publication of a research study by Dr. S. Jill James showing that children with autism have impaired antioxidant defense due to low glutathione levels. Readers of this newsletter may recognized Dr. James as the person who connected autism, depression and Alzheimer's (New Developments 9:4.)
James' latest investigation has additional new implications for those with autism spectrum disorders: a severe deficiency in glutathione means poor ability to detoxify environmental toxins, particularly mercury. At last we can explain why some youngsters are more susceptible to neurological damage from the mercury-containing preservative, thimerosal and other poisons.