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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 13, 2026

Eye Tracking Young Children with Autism

Eye Tracking Young Children with Autism

Published on: March 27, 2012

Is autism a developmental zinc deficiency?

Ann Katrin Sauer¹, Janelle E Stanton², Andreas M Grabrucker¹

¹Dept. of Biological Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland; Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland; Health Research Institute (HRI), University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.

Clinical Nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland)

|February 11, 2026

Summary

Prenatal zinc deficiency is a key factor in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) development, disrupting brain growth and metal homeostasis. Understanding zinc

Keywords:

Autism spectrum disorder Diet Neurodevelopment Nutrition Trace metal Zinc

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Probing the Brain in Autism Using fMRI and Diffusion Tensor Imaging

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Published on: September 12, 2011

Area of Science:

Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Nutritional Neuroscience
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Etiology

Background:

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition with multifactorial causes, including genetic and prenatal environmental influences.
Prenatal factors such as maternal infections, medications, toxins, and nutritional deficiencies can disrupt fetal brain development, contributing to ASD.
Existing animal and cellular models often fail to fully capture ASD's complexity, necessitating a re-evaluation of its underlying biological mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

To review and consolidate current scientific evidence linking zinc's role to autism spectrum disorder.
To examine the critical functions of zinc in biological processes frequently impaired in individuals with ASD.
To propose that disrupted zinc homeostasis is a core issue in ASD pathogenesis.

Main Methods:

This study is a narrative review based on a comprehensive synthesis of secondary data.
It critically analyzes existing literature on prenatal risk factors, metal homeostasis, and zinc's involvement in ASD.
The review consolidates findings from various studies investigating zinc deficiency and ASD-related pathologies.

Main Results:

Prenatal zinc deficiency is identified as a significant risk factor for ASD, inducing relevant pathologies in experimental models.
Abnormal zinc signaling and disrupted metal homeostasis are proposed as fundamental issues in ASD.
Zinc plays vital roles in biological functions commonly affected in individuals with ASD.

Conclusions:

Prenatal zinc deficiency may reveal fundamental disrupted biological processes common to ASD, potentially mimicked by other risk factors.
The evidence strongly suggests a critical link between zinc homeostasis and ASD development.
Further research into zinc's role is crucial for understanding ASD etiology and developing targeted interventions.