is mercury making the pineal gland malfunction?

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In light of this animal study and related research, a recent proposal

suggesting the mechanism that may occur within humans was outlined by Dr.

Chamberlain. First, he proposed that a hypersecretion of B-endorphin from

the hypothalamus resulted in a decreases release of ACTH from the pituitary

which, in turn, caused a drop in the plasma concentrations of ACTH and

cortisol. This pathway was proposed after consideration of an experiment by

in 1983 where " ... systemic administration of B-endorphin [in humans]

had been found to produce decreases in ACTH and cortisol plasma

concentrations " (Chamberlain, 777). To this date, the role that these

hormones play in relation to behavioral control is still unclear, although

the release of B-endorphin and ACTH from the pituitary has been seen with

acute stress.

In addition, Chamberlain proposed that a second regulatory feedback loop may

exist. This second loop involves the pineal gland, where secretion of

melatonin and other opioids occur. " This axis includes an inhibitory effect

of melatonin on CRH release from the hypothalamus which, in turn, inhibits

the secretion of B-endorphin from the pituitary " (Chamberlain, 777).

Furthermore, a study conducted by Dr. Lowenstein in 1984 showed that a

feedback pathway exists where increased B-endorphin stimulates melatonin

secretion. Dr. Chamberlain suggests that a breakdown in the functioning of

either of these pathways may account for the psychiatric problems associated

with autism. These various hormonal pathways offer possible biochemical

etiology of autism.

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