Earlier research indicated an association between zinc and autism. However, until now, understanding the connection has been challenging.

A new study, published in Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience, suggests that a zinc deficiency in early childhood may contribute to autism. Autism, or autism spectrum disorder, tends to cause difficulties in communication and social interaction. Although every case is different, symptoms can include repetitive actions, reduced eye contact, and trouble recognizing emotions in others. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 1 in 59 children have autism. It appears to be four times more common in boys than girls. Despite years of research, the medical community has yet to fully understand the mechanisms of autism, and theories about its origins abound. Autism tends to appear in the first 3 years of life. During this time, synapses — the communication points between neurons — are forming and changing at a rapid rate. Research has linked certain genes to autism, including some that code for proteins that build synapses, such as the Shank family of proteins. The link between synapse formation and autism has provided the basis for some of the most recent research into the condition’s mechanisms.

By Tim Newman