Effects of Trace Metal Profiles Characteristic for Autism on Synapses in Cultured Neurons

Figure 2

Effect of trace metals on synapse formation or stability. While the observed decrease in synapse number can be correlated with the overall cell death of neurons in culture for Cd, Cu, and Hg (left panel), no correlation was found for Al, Fe, and Pb that did not significantly alter cell health. Mg shows only a weak correlation due to its nontoxic effects on neurons over a wide concentration range. Both Zn and Se may display even increased synapse numbers despite ongoing cell death.