CDC report stirs thimerosal debate

NIXA, Mo., Sept. 29 (UPI) -- The National Autism Association is questioning a U.S. government study on the safety of vaccines containing thimerosal.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control said it found no significant link between neuropsychological functioning and early exposure to mercury from vaccines containing thimerosal. The NAA said the report, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, had only 1047 participants, a low compliance rate, and very little data variation.

The NAA said the data in the body of the paper "clearly states a statistically significant relationship between thimerosal and a host of co-morbid disorders frequently seen in autism."

The data showed that higher exposure to mercury was associated with significantly poorer performance on tests of backward recall, behavioral regulation problems and a higher likelihood of motor and phonic tics, the NAA said.

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NewsTrack: CDC report stirs thimerosal debate