Increase in Autism incidence, tentative association with other environmental variables based on demographics.

 

Recently there has been a new science looking at the demographics of disease incidence based on comparing them to the rise or introduction of new technologies. One such variable that has been analyzed is electromagnetic radiation generated by artificial sources.  Biological systems have evolved over long periods of time and have adapted to using basic signaling mechanisms as the foundation of adaptive, interpretative and integrative behaviors.   Electromagnetic signaling as a technology is a relatively new phenomenon which has been introduced and is being used globally. The signaling has the potential ability to interfere with the preexistent mechanisms of cell signaling and integration which have evolved over billions of years.   However the biological and long term effects of prolonged low level electromagnetic exposure to certain frequency ranges is poorly understood. There are multiple studies which have shown the profound effects of electromagnetic radiation as contributing to the generation of free radicals, damping down oxidative metabolism in cells, and producing DNA damage along with immune suppression and an increased range of hyperplastic and neoplastic transformations.  Emf has been shown to affect brain function either through a direct effect of cell signaling or a secondary effect of disrupting circulation in the nervous system or the integrity of the blood brain barrier.  The end result of these disruptive changes in cell signaling and integration is the production of various states of dysfunctionality of nervous system integration resulting in a plethora of illnesses characterized by, behavioral, motor or sensory abnormalities.

 

In Sweden impairment secondary to electromagnetic radiation is a recognized disease producing entity. The Swedish system recognizes the impairment and duly supports impaired individuals under their disability act.

 

In the last 10 to 15 years there has been a dramatic increase in the incidence of disease beyond what can be logically inferred from genetic causes or reproduction. Of note is the incidence and rise of autism. The incidence of autism has risen from approximately from 4/10,000 ten years ago to approximately 1:166.  There are many theories associated with the rise in autism are associated with the idea of pollutants affecting the nervous system.

 

 Recently we had reviewed the raw data of the incident rise in the rate of autistic disorder in all states of the union.  The data looked at the relative rate of change from 1992 to 1993 and compared it to the 1999-2000; a seven year span of time. The survey was used to gauge the need for services for these severely impaired individuals. Contained within the data was an alarming trend. Of note, there is a definite overall increase from a geographic standpoint based on the data. The data shows that Illinois is the epicenter with an increase of 48,600%. What is interesting is there seems to be an east to west peak from the epicenter which has a node of about 500 to 750 miles. Specifically the distribution does not appear to extend centripetally in a perfectly circular manner but seems to follow an east to west distribution with Illinois in the center. In an westerly direction if you note the data, Nebraska(7,125%), Nevada(5360%) and Oregon (5895%) on the west coast and on the East coast Ohio(7,055%), Maryland (5,439%).  Even though there is an overall increase the markedly different changes in these states suggest that some other vector is operating. The distribution suggests a pulsed beam with a node or wavelength of approximately 500-750, miles This would correlate with extra long frequency radiation.. The pattern seems to suggest some other secondary phenomena in operation. The pattern is not uniform and concentric from the epicenter.  The increase is not uniform which is what one would expect from  vaccinations, toxins or pollutants, pesticides or other containments which would seem to a have a more uniform rate of change and a more graduated and uniform pattern of incidence increase. This is not to discount the currently held models of the disease but instead points to another variable which may be impacting these individuals. This matter deserves further study and clarification. What is alarming about these statistics is that the disease does not seem to be abating and instead the incidence is increasing at an exponential rate. This is remarkable for an illness that is presumed to have a genetic basis, i.e. though unproven..

Sincerely

Gerald Goldberg, MD

Author: “Would you put your head in a microwave oven”

 

 

 

References:

 

From the Department of Education annual reports to the US Congress

 

(Children with a diagnosis of autism aged 6-21] served by IDEA

 

(Individuals With Disabilities Education Act)

 

Wei Sheng Yan Jiu. 1999 Jul;28(4):200-2   [Lipid peroxide damage in retinal ganglion cells induced by microwave]    Yang R, Chen J, Liu X.
Department of Military Hygiene, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032.
The determination of lipid peroxide damage in the primary cultured pig retinal ganglion cells induced by microwave can provide some experience on the effect of microwave and the protection from its damage. Retinal ganglion cells were cultured in vitro and exposed to different intensities or time of microwave, and cultured for another 48 hours. The content of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) was detected. Results showed that the content of MDA was increased and SOD decreased after radiation.

Direct microwave radiation to retinal cells resulted in decreased SOD levels as well as increased evidence of damage to the cell membranes.(lipid perioxidation).

Med Pr. 2002;53(4):311-4  [Effect of electromagnetic field produced by mobile phones on the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD-1) and the level of malonyldialdehyde (MDA)--in vitro study]
Stopczyk D, Gnitecki W, Buczynski A, Markuszewski L, Buczynski J.
Zakladu Medycyny Zapobiegawczej i Promocji Zdrowia, Wojskowej Akademii Medycznej w Lodzi. darstop@poczta.onet.pl
The aim of the study was to assess in vitro the effect of electromagnetic field produced by mobile phones on the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD-1) and the level of malonyldialdehyde (MDA) in human blood platelets. The suspension of blood platelets was exposed to the electromagnetic field with the frequency of 900 MHz for 1, 3, 5, and 7 min. Our studies demonstrated that microwaves produced by mobile phones significantly depleted SOD-1 activity after 1, 5, and 7 min of exposure and increased after 3 min in comparison with the control test. There was a significant increase in the concentration of MDA after 1, 5, and 7 min and decrease after 3 min of exposure as compared with the control test.      Even after one minute of exposure to cell phones, anti-oxidant levels in the blood had dropped significantly.

 

Environ Health Perspect. 2004 May; 112(6):687-94   Magnetic-field-induced DNA strand breaks in brain cells of the rat.   Lai H, Singh NP.
Bioelectromagnetics Research Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195-7962, USA. hlai@u.washington.edu        Microwave produces DNA damage in brain cells.

Bioelectromagnetics. 1995; 16(3):207-1   Acute low-intensity microwave exposure increases DNA single-strand breaks in rat brain cells. , Singh NP.
Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle 98195, USA.

Microwaves produce DNA damage in brain cells.

Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 1989 May; 33(1):131-8.  Low-level microwave irradiation and central cholinergic systems.  Lai H, Carino MA, Horita A, Guy AW.
Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle 98195.

 

J Neurochem. 1987 Jan; 48(1):40-5  Low-level microwave irradiations affect central cholinergic activity in the rat.   Lai H, Horita A, Chou CK, Guy AW.
Pulsed microwave irradiation (2-microseconds pulses, 500 pulses/s) decreased choline uptake in the hippocampus and frontal cortex but had no significant effect on the hypothalamus.  Microwave radiation decreased the uptake of choline in the frontal lobes and hippocampus(memory  circuit).

 

Bioelectromagnetics. 1992;13(1):57-66   Single vs. repeated microwave exposure: effects on benzodiazepine receptors in the brain of the rat.  Lai H, Carino MA, Horita A, Guy AW.
Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle 98195.
Benzodiazepine receptors in the brain are responsive to anxiety and stress, our data support the hypothesis that low-intensity microwave irradiation can be a source of stress.    Microwave radiation activated benzodiazepine(valium) receptors in the brain.

 

Radiobiologiia. 1991 Mar-Apr;31(2):257-60  [Action of microwaves with different modulation frequencies and exposure times on GABA receptor concentration in the cerebral cortex of rat. Kuznetsov VI, Iurinskaia MM, Kolomytkin OV, Akoev IG.
The effect of 800 mHz microwaves of 0, 3, 5, 7, 16, and 30 Hz modulation on GABA receptor concentration in rat brain cortex has been investigated. Irradiation of the whole body at a modulation frequency of 16 Hz readily decreases the GABA receptor concentration.  Microwave radiation decreased the amount of GABA (calming neurotransmitter) in the brain.

 

 

 

Bioelectromagnetics. 1980;1(2):171-81

Microwave effects on energy metabolism of rat brain.
Sanders AP, Schaefer DJ, Joines WT

The data support the hypothesis that microwave exposure inhibits mitochondrial electron transport chain function, which results in decreased ATP and CP (creatine phosphate) levels in brain.

 

Bioelectromagnetics. 1985;6(1):89-97
Effects of continuous-wave, pulsed, and sinusoidal-amplitude-modulated microwaves on brain energy metabolism.
Sanders AP, Joines WT, Allis JW.
Since brain temperature did not increase, the microwave-induced increase in brain NADH and decrease in ATP and CP concentrations was not due to hyperthermia. This suggests a direct interaction mechanism and is consistent with the hypothesis of microwave inhibition of mitochondrial electron transport chain function of ATP production      Microwave radiation directly affects the mitochondria( cell furnaces) causing a decrease in ATP and creatine phosphate, both necessary components of energy production.

 

 

Neurochem Res. 1988 Jul;13(7):671-7     Cell membranes: the electromagnetic environment and cancer promotion.     Adey WR.
VA Medical Center, Loma Linda, California 92357.

Powerful cancer-promoting phorbol esters act at cell membranes to stimulate ornithine decarboxylase which is essential for cell growth and DNA synthesis. This response is enhanced by weak microwave fields, also acting at cell membranes.     Microwave radiation tends to promote the effect of cancer causing chemicals.

 

Environ Health Perspect. 1990 Jun;86:297-305.   Joint actions of environmental nonionizing electromagnetic fields and chemical pollution in cancer promotion.    Adey WR.
Research Service (151), Pettis Memorial VA Medical Center, Loma Linda, CA 92357.

 From cancer research comes a floodtide of new knowledge about the disruption of communication by cancer-promoting chemicals with an onset of unregulated growth. Bioelectromagnetic research reveals clear evidence of joint actions at cell membranes of chemical cancer promoters and environmental electromagnetic fields. The union of these two disciplines has resulted in the first major new approach to tumor formation in 75 years, directing attention to dysfunctions in inward and outward streams of signals at cell membranes, rather than to damage DNA in cell nuclei, and to synergic actions of chemical pollutants and environmental electromagnetic fields.        Microwave radiation disrupts cellular signaling and tends to promote cancerous changes and acts additively along with chemical pollutants.

 

Am Ind Hyg Assoc J. 1993 Apr;54(4):197-204    Overview of epidemiologic research on electric and magnetic fields and cancer.    Savitz DA.
Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

Across many different study designs and settings, certain groups of electrical workers show elevated occurrence of leukemia and brain cancer. The consistency of findings is notable

There was a higher incidence of brain and blood cancer in workers exposed to elevated electromagnectic fields. .

 

Neurol Res. 1982;4(1-2):115-53     Nonlinear wave mechanisms in interactions between excitable tissue and electromagnetic fields.    Lawrence AF, Adey WR.
It is now well established that intrinsic electromagnetic fields play a key role in a broad range of tissue functions, including embryonic morphogenesis, wound healing, and information transmission in the nervous system. These same processes may be profoundly influenced by electromagnetic fields induced by an external force.           Microwave radiation or emf can disrupt cell signaling, resulting in a broad range of tissue functions.  These can present as poor wound healing, malformations of the fetus(unborn), nervous system disruption.  

 

J Toxicol Environ Health B Crit Rev. 2004 Sep-Oct;7(5):351-84    Mobile telephones and cancer--a review of epidemiological evidence.    Kundi M, Mild K, Hardell L, Mattsson MO.
Institute of Environmental Health, Department for Occupational and Social Hygiene, Medical Faculty, University of Vienna Kinderspitalgasse 15 A-1095 Vienna Austria. Michael.Kundi@univie.ac.at
 Overall nine epidemiological studies have been published, four from the United States, two from Sweden, and one each from Denmark, Finland, and Germany. Seven studies were mainly on brain tumors, with one investigating in addition to brain tumors salivary gland cancer and another cancer of the hematopoietic and lymphatic tissues, and one examining intraocular melanoma studies. Nevertheless, all studies approaching reasonable latencies found an increased cancer risk associated with mobile phone use.       Cell phones, microwave radiation was shown to be correlated with an increase cancer rate of the head and neck in nine independent studies.

 

 

[5-HT contents change in peripheral blood of workers exposed to microwave and high frequency radiation]
Zhonghua Yu Fang Yi Xue Za Zhi. 1989 Jul; 23(4):207-10. Chinese.
The 5-HT contents in the whole blood were inversely proportional to the power density of microwave and high frequency groups. The incidence of neurasthenic syndrome, unsymmetrical skin temperature in both limbs and hypotension was higher in the microwave and high frequency radiation groups than that in the control group. The incidence of bradycardia and some abnormal items of electrocardiograph in the microwave group was obviously greater.

 

Bioelectromagnetics. 1998;19(6):384-7 
Effects of microwaves emitted by cellular phones on human slow brain potentials.
Freude G, Ullsperger P, Eggert S, Ruppe I.
Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Berlin, Germany. freude@baua.de        EMF exposure effected a significant decrease of preparatory slow brain potentials SPs at central and temporo-parieto-occipital brain regions.