Study Finds Slightly Higher Risk of Autism Diagnosis in Areas with Higher Lithium Levels in Drinking Water.
A recent study published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics has found a modest association between higher levels of lithium in tap water and an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children. The researchers, led by Dr. Beate Ritz, analyzed data from Denmark, where lithium levels in drinking water are similar to those in American systems.
The study focused on 8,842 cases of ASD and 43,864 participants without ASD, born between 2000 and 2013. The researchers found that as lithium levels in water increased, so did the risk of an ASD diagnosis. Specifically, children exposed to higher levels of lithium had a 24% to 26% increased risk of ASD diagnosed compared to those at lower exposure levels.
While the study suggests a potential link between lithium exposure and autism, experts caution that more research is needed to establish a direct causal relationship. "It's an interesting association, but causation is definitely not proven," said Dr. Max Wiznitzer, director of the Rainbow Autism Center at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital in Cleveland.
The implications of the findings are complex, as lithium levels in water have also been linked to health benefits such as lower rates of hospitalization for psychiatric disorders and suicide. However, developing guidelines for lithium in drinking water that are maximally protective of the entire population will require a better understanding of the basic biology of ASD.
Other studies have suggested connections between ASD and environmental exposures to things like pesticides, air pollution, and phthalates, but none of them point to these factors as direct causes of the disorder. "There's a lot of speculation about environmental factors, but how many of them are truly causally associated?" Dr. Wiznitzer said.
The study highlights the need for further research into potential environmental causes of autism spectrum disorder. As Dr. Ritz noted, any drinking water contaminants that may affect the developing human brain deserve intense scrutiny. Replication of the findings in other countries is essential to confirm the association and inform public health policy.
A recent study published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics has found a modest association between higher levels of lithium in tap water and an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children. The researchers, led by Dr. Beate Ritz, analyzed data from Denmark, where lithium levels in drinking water are similar to those in American systems.
The study focused on 8,842 cases of ASD and 43,864 participants without ASD, born between 2000 and 2013. The researchers found that as lithium levels in water increased, so did the risk of an ASD diagnosis. Specifically, children exposed to higher levels of lithium had a 24% to 26% increased risk of ASD diagnosed compared to those at lower exposure levels.
While the study suggests a potential link between lithium exposure and autism, experts caution that more research is needed to establish a direct causal relationship. "It's an interesting association, but causation is definitely not proven," said Dr. Max Wiznitzer, director of the Rainbow Autism Center at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital in Cleveland.
The implications of the findings are complex, as lithium levels in water have also been linked to health benefits such as lower rates of hospitalization for psychiatric disorders and suicide. However, developing guidelines for lithium in drinking water that are maximally protective of the entire population will require a better understanding of the basic biology of ASD.
Other studies have suggested connections between ASD and environmental exposures to things like pesticides, air pollution, and phthalates, but none of them point to these factors as direct causes of the disorder. "There's a lot of speculation about environmental factors, but how many of them are truly causally associated?" Dr. Wiznitzer said.
The study highlights the need for further research into potential environmental causes of autism spectrum disorder. As Dr. Ritz noted, any drinking water contaminants that may affect the developing human brain deserve intense scrutiny. Replication of the findings in other countries is essential to confirm the association and inform public health policy.
I mean, who wouldn't want a 24-26% higher risk of autism just because their water has a lil' extra lithium, right? 
Like, it's not like we're already overmedicating kids with ADHD or anything... 
It's all about context and causation, folks. We need to know what's really going on here.
That's some amazing science right there. Maybe instead of trying to figure out if lithium causes autism, we should just be like "Hey, lithium might make us all slightly less crazy, let's drink more of it!" 
I mean, we're talking about multiple variables here - lithium exposure, environmental toxins, genetics, brain development... it's like trying to solve a giant puzzle with a million pieces that don't quite fit together.
so like 1 in every 150 people exposed to high lithium levels has a higher chance of getting autism 
and it's not just Denmark, I checked data from the US and Canada too, the pattern is same 
24-26% increase risk, pretty wild stuff 
they're actually lower in areas with high lithium levels, so it's like a double-edged sword 
we need more research, but it's clear that environmental factors play a role in autism, let's get to the bottom of this 
like pesticides, phthalates etc... i mean what's a few more toxins huh? lithium might be an easy culprit to blame but it's not like it's gonna fix everything either 
