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Whether -- or how -- thimerosal, an ethylmercury compound used in some vaccines, affects the development of autism remains unknown. Using a novel approach, these investigators focused on the interaction between inborn immune properties and thimerosal effects in two strains of mice, one known to be susceptible to autoimmune diseases and a second that is not autoimmune-susceptible.
The mice were given thimerosal only; thimerosal combined with vaccines for diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus and Haemophilus influenza B; or non-active substances (control). Timing and thimerosal dose were geared to approximate those used for human children. Researchers performed clinical assessments and presumed autism-related behavioral studies; they also conducted his…