New research shows how Thimerosal, a preservative used in some vaccines, causes brain damage. Despite its well known toxicity, still some vaccines contain thimerosal. Supplements and nutrients could prevent the damage.
Background:
Thimerosal (THIM), a organo-mercury compound containing the ethylmercury moiety, has been used as a preservative in liquid medicinal products, including pediatric vaccines, for decades without being adequately tested for safety in developping organisms. Despite its well known neurotoxicity, it is still used as a preservative in vaccines in many countries, including Canada and the US, especilly in multi-dose vials. While the high neurotoxicity of organo-mercury compounds is well documented (see for example the literature cited below), epidemiologic studies mainly failed to demonstrate a relationship between the use of the preservative and cases of injured people. Anyhow, vulnerable patients, such as pregnant women are often advised to ask for THI-free vaccines.
The new study:
Dr. Dorota Majewska of the Marie Curie Chairs Program at the Department of Pharmacology and Physiology of the Nervous System, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology in Warsaw, Poland, and her colleagues showed that Thimerosal can cause brain damage by increasing the levels of glutamate. Glutamate is toxic to the brain and is one of the reasons THIM causes neurological diseases. Her research was published in the journal Neurochemical Research.
The researchers showed that repeated intramuscular injections of THIM on neonatal rats cause a long lasting increase of glutamate. Glutamate can cause damage because it produces oxidative stress, and lowers glutathione. Sulfur might protect against THIM damage. The nursing mother can try to boost her sulfur intake by using some high sulfur products such as garlic and onions. The authors conclude that their study provides further empirical evidence that exposure to THIM leads to neurotoxic changes in the developing brain, arguing for urgent and permanent removal of this preservative from all vaccines for children (and adults) since effective, less toxic and less costly alternatives are available.
The original study: 
Michalina Duszczyk-Budhathoki, Mieszko Olczak, Malgorzata Lehner, Maria Dorota Majewska,
Administration of Thimerosal to Infant Rats Increases Overflow of Glutamate and Aspartate in the Prefrontal Cortex: Protective Role of Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate, Neurochem. Res., 37 (2012) 436–447.
DOI 10.1007/s11064-011-0630-z Related studies (newest first) J.G. Dórea,
Integrating experimental (in vitro and in vivo) neurotoxicity studies of low-dose thimerosal relevant to vaccines, Neurochem. Res., 36 (2011) 927–938.
doi: 10.1007/s11064-011-0427-0 M. Olczak, M. Duszczyk, P. Mierzejewski, K. Meyza. M.D. Majewska,
Persistent behavioral impairments and alterations of brain dopamine system after early postnatal administration of thimerosal in rats, Behav. Brain Res., 223 (2011) 107–118.
doi: 10.1016/j.bbr.2011.04.026 M. Olczak, M. Duszczyk, P. Mierzejewski, T. Wierzba-Bobrowicz, M.D. Majewska,
Lasting neuropathological changes in rat brain after intermittent neonatal administration of thimerosal, Folia Neuropathol., 48 (2010) 258–269.
M. Olczak, M. Duszczyk, P. Mierzejewski, T. Bobrowicz, M.D. Majewska,
Neonatal administration of thimerosal causes persistent changes in mu opioid receptors in the rat brain, Neurochem. Res., 35 (2010) 1840–1847.
doi: 10.1007/s11064-010-0250-z C. Migdal, L. Foggia, M. Tailhardat, P. Courtellemont, M. Haftek, M. Serres,
Sensitization effect of thimerosal is mediated in vitro via reactive oxygen species and calcium signaling, Toxicology, 274 (2010) 1–9.
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E. Zieminska, B. Toczylowska, A. Stafiej, J.W. Lazarewicz,
Low molecular weight thiols reduce thimerosal neurotoxicity in vitro: modulation by proteins, Toxicology, 276 (2010) 154–163.
doi: 10.1016/j.tox.2010.07.023 L. Hewitson, L.A. Houser, C. Stott, G. Sackett, J.L. Tomko, D. Atwood, L. Blue, E.R. White,
Delayed acquisition of neonatal reflexes in newborn primates receiving a thimerosal-containing hepatitis B vaccine: influence of gestational age and birth weight, J. Toxicol. Environ. Health A, 73 (2010) 1298–1313.
doi: 10.1080/15287394.2010.484709 D.A. Geier, P.G. King, M.R. Geier,
Mitochondrial dysfunction, impaired oxidative-reduction activity, degeneration, and death in human neuronal and fetal cells induced by low-level exposure to thimerosal and other metal compounds, Toxicol. Environ. Chem., 91 (2009) 735–749.
doi: 10.1080/02772240802246458 T. Minami, E. Miyata, Y. Sakamoto, A. Kohama, H. Yamazaki, S. Ichida,
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doi: 10.1016/j.tox.2009.04.037 M. Olczak, M. Duszczyk, P. Mierzejewski, M.D. Majewska,
Neonatal administration of a vaccine preservative, thimerosal, produces lasting impairment of nociception and apparent activation of opioid system in rats, Brain Res., 1301 (2009) 143–151.
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Thimerosal exposure in infants and neurodevelopmental disorders: an assessment of computerized medical records in the vaccine safety datalink, J. Neurol. Sci., 271 (2008) 110–118.
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doi: 10.1289/ehp.7712 T. Ueha-Ishibashi, Y. Oyama, H. Nakao, C. Umebayashi, S. Hirama, Y. Sakai, S. Ishida, Y. Okano,
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Thimerosal induces neuronal cell apoptosis by causing cytochrome c and apoptosis-inducing factor release from mitochondria, Int. J. Mol. Med., 16 (2005) 971–977.
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Related EVISA Resources EVISA Link Database: Toxicity of organic mercury EVISA News about Thimerosal EVISA Advanced Search: All about Thimerosal
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