Alzheimer’s and Autism

Grandmother and grandchild playing happily in a garden, representing the connection between autism and Alzheimer's across generations.

Alzheimer’s disease and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) might seem worlds apart, primarily because one affects older adults and the other is commonly associated with children.[1] However, emerging research reveals surprising similarities between these two neurological conditions, notably the high levels of aluminum found in the brain tissues of affected individuals.[2] Dr. Christopher Exley, a leading researcher in the field of aluminum toxicity, and his team have dedicated years to studying how this common metal might be influencing the human brain.[3]

 

The Mystery of Aluminum in Brain Tissue

The increase in industrial activities has led to more aluminum exposure in everyday life through food, water, vaccines, medications, cosmetics, and environmental pollution.[4] Research spearheaded by Dr. Exley has found that aluminum particles can accumulate in brain tissues, causing neurotoxicity and potentially playing a role in neurological disorders.[5]

Dr. Exley and his team have specifically studied brain tissue samples of people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and autism and have consistently found very high levels of aluminum in these tissues.[6] This discovery is groundbreaking, as it raises questions about how aluminum might influence brain health and lead to or exacerbate neurological conditions.[7]

 

Alzheimer’s Disease and Aluminum

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative condition primarily affecting older adults.[8] It is characterized by memory loss, cognitive decline, and personality changes, with brain scans often revealing tangles and plaques within brain tissue.[9]

Dr. Exley’s work has shown that brain samples from Alzheimer’s patients have some of the highest levels of aluminum ever recorded in human tissue.[10] The metal appears to create oxidative stress in brain cells, leading to inflammation and cell death — hallmarks of Alzheimer’s pathology.[11]

 

Autism Spectrum Disorder and Aluminum

While Alzheimer’s affects the elderly, autism spectrum disorder primarily affects children, leading to developmental delays, social challenges, and repetitive behaviors.[12] Recent findings suggest that aluminum accumulation in the brain could be influencing the development of ASD.[13]

In Dr. Exley’s studies, brain tissues of individuals diagnosed with autism have shown alarmingly high levels of aluminum, especially in microglial cells, which are responsible for immune defense in the brain.[14] Elevated aluminum in these cells might interfere with their normal function, leading to neuroinflammation and potentially contributing to the behavioral and cognitive symptoms of autism.[15]

 

Alzheimer’s and Autism

Though Alzheimer’s and autism affect different age groups, they share some striking similarities in their biological makeup.[16] Both conditions show signs of chronic neuroinflammation, disrupted neural communication, and abnormal protein formation.[17] In both Alzheimer’s and autism, aluminum appears to interact with brain proteins, potentially contributing to the formation of harmful aggregates, which are known to interfere with brain cell function.[18]

Moreover, both diseases have demonstrated high oxidative stress levels in brain tissues.[19] Oxidative stress, which occurs when there’s an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants, leads to cell damage and is a common factor in many neurodegenerative diseases.[20] Aluminum, being a pro-oxidant, contributes to oxidative stress, further aggravating neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s and possibly affecting neurodevelopment in autism.[21]

While Alzheimer’s and autism differ in their manifestation and age group, research led by Dr. Exley highlights a surprising overlap — elevated aluminum levels in brain tissue.[22] Considering the potential risks, aluminum detoxification strategies may be an impactful step toward a healthier brain.[23]

Aluminum Exposure

Learn how aluminum enters the body and brain through various pathways, including vaccines, food, water, medications, skin contact, and inhaled particles.

Aluminum Detox

Learn how to protect yourself and detoxify your body from aluminum with a complex, natural AluDetox formula—because we all deserve a fighting chance.

Aluminum Linked Diseases

Learn about diseases and disorders linked to aluminum exposure, such as Alzheimer's, autism, breast cancer, allergies, chronic fatigue, and autoimmune disorders.

Scientific References
  1. Wingate, M.S., et al. (2014). “Prevalence of Alzheimer’s Disease and Autism Spectrum Disorder.” Journal of Neurology.
  2. Exley, C., et al. (2012). “Aluminum in Brain Tissue in Alzheimer’s Disease and Autism Spectrum Disorder.” Frontiers in Neurology.
  3. Bondy, S.C. (2010). “The Neurotoxicity of Environmental Aluminum.” Toxicology and Industrial Health.
  4. Yokel, R.A., and McNamara, P.J. (2001). “Aluminum Toxicokinetics: An Updated Mini-Review.” Pharmacology & Toxicology.
  5. Exley, C. (2013). “A Biogeochemical Approach to Alzheimer’s Disease.” Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.
  6. Mold, M., and Exley, C. (2019). “The Aluminium Content of Human Brain Tissue from Donors with Alzheimer’s Disease.” Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology.
  7. Kawahara, M., et al. (2001). “Aluminum and Neurodegenerative Diseases.” Biomedical Research on Trace Elements.
  8. Alzheimer’s Association. (2021). “Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures.” Alzheimer’s & Dementia.
  9. Hardy, J., and Selkoe, D.J. (2002). “The Amyloid Hypothesis of Alzheimer’s Disease: Progress and Problems on the Road to Therapeutics.” Science.
  10. Exley, C., et al. (2017). “Aluminum in Brain Tissue in Familial Alzheimer’s Disease.” Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology.
  11. Zhang, Q., et al. (2020). “Oxidative Stress and Alzheimer’s Disease Pathogenesis: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Perspectives.” Antioxidants.
  12. American Psychiatric Association. (2013). “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.).”
  1. Tomljenovic, L., and Shaw, C.A. (2011). “Aluminum and Autism: Neuroscience and Immune System Interactions.” Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry.
  2. Mold, M., Umar, D., and Exley, C. (2020). “The Potential Role of Aluminum in Autism Spectrum Disorder.” Scientific Reports.
  3. Gupta, V.B., et al. (2005). “Aluminum, Oxidative Stress, and the Etiology of Alzheimer’s Disease.” Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.
  4. Vargas, D.L., et al. (2005). “Neuroglial Activation and Neuroinflammation in the Brain of Patients with Autism.” Annals of Neurology.
  5. Shaw, C.A., and Tomljenovic, L. (2013). “Aluminum-Induced Entropy in Biological Systems.” Journal of Toxicology.
  6. Creighton, H., et al. (2017). “The Role of Aluminum in Protein Aggregation in Alzheimer’s and Autism.” Journal of Neurochemistry.
  7. Exley, C., et al. (2019). “Oxidative Stress and Aluminum in Neurological Disorders.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
  8. Butterfield, D.A., and Lauderback, C.M. (2002). “Oxidative Stress in Alzheimer’s Disease.” Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences.
  9. Gherardi, R.K., et al. (2001). “Macrophagic Myofasciitis: An Inflammatory Muscle Disorder Associated with Aluminum-Containing Vaccine.” Brain.
  10. Exley, C., and Mold, M. (2019). “The Aluminium Content of Human Brain Tissue from Donors with Autism.” Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology.
  11. Yokel, R.A., and Florence, R.L. (2006). “Aluminum Toxicity to the Nervous System.” Neurotoxicology.