Fish Show Autism-like Gene Expression In Water With Psychoactive Chemicals

[Julieanne]

ScienceDaily (June 6, 2012)
No author

— Psychoactive medications in water affect the gene expression profiles of fathead minnows in a way that mimics the gene expression patterns associated with autism spectrum disorder in genetically susceptible humans, according to research published June 6 in the open access journal PLoS ONE. These results suggest a potential environmental trigger for autism spectrum disorder in this vulnerable population, the authors write.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0606193853.htm

[Islander]

These medications are better known by their brand names: Prozac, Effexor and Tegretol. Thery say that the latter is used to control seizures, but its more common use, I think, is in controlling bi-polar disorder. So...all three of these are psychoactive drugs — drugs that affect brain function. I wonder how many pregnant women have been on one or more of these very common mood-stabilizing drugs. It makes perfect sense.

[mellowsong]

Islander, it does make perfect sense and just another reason that autism cases are dramatically rising. Tegretol is also used to control nerve pain and for migraine headaches.

[Islander]

And all of these show up, albeit in minute quantities, in municipal water supplies.

[highlander]

Pregnant women should never, never, never take any type of drug regardless of what any doctor would say. Have they no instincts? My mom was given drugs for morning sickness when she was pregnant with my brother and he was born with birth defects, later diagnosed bi-polar and committed suicide at the age of 25. His life was hell.

[Islander]

Highlander, I'm so sorry.

[highlander]

Thank you, Islander. I only tell that story in hopes that women will see how serious drugs are especially for pregnant women. Suffering is bad enough but when it's completely unnecessary and without remedy it's just tragic. Then there's the decades of guilt that a mother feels. No one should have to go there.

[mellowsong]

Highlander, I'm so sorry too.

[highlander]

Thank you, Mellow.