FW: FAN 985: Fluoride's Effect on the Brain

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FLUORIDE ACTION NETWORKhttp://www.FluorideAlert.Org FAN Bulletin 985: Fluoride's Effect on the Brain July 9, 2008Dear Supporter,While dentists in the US continue to treat fluoride as if it only effects one tissue in the body (the teeth), researchers around the world continue to study fluoride's effects on other areas in the body. Of particular concern is a growing number of studies suggesting that fluoride can interfere with the brain, particularly the developing brain of the fetus, infant, and toddler.In 2006, the US National Research Council (NRC) provided a much-needed wake up call with an excellent summary of the available literature on fluoride. According to the NRC, "it is apparent that fluorides have the ability to interfere with the functions of the brain." In its review, the NRC examined the studies showing an association between fluoride and reduced IQ in children and concluded that "the consistency of the results appears significant enough to warrant additional research on the effects of fluoride on intelligence." Since the NRC review was released, 4 additional studies on fluoride and IQ have been published -- from Mexico, Iran, India, and China.

A Wealth of "New" Data In addition, an investigation last year by Fluoride Action Network revealed that there are many important studies on fluoride and the brain which the NRC was unable to review because they have only been available in Chinese. To help get these studies in the hands of western scientists and government regulators, FAN paid to have them translated and has worked to get them published in an English-language journal. We are extremely happy to announce, therefore, that 12 of the studies that FAN paid to get translated have just been published in the journal Fluoride (with more translations expected to be published in the coming months) -- marking the first time these studies (with one exception) have ever seen the light of day in an English-language journal.The studies published this week - available online at http://www.fluorideresearch.org -- provide a wealth of additional data confirming fluoride's ability to damage brain development. As noted in an introduction by Dr. Albert W. Burgstahler, Editor of Fluoride, the studies "are of great importance worldwide for a fuller understanding of how fluoride can affect neurological development, function, and performance."For example, a 1996 study by researchers at Guiyang Medical College (Yu 1996) details how fluoride exposure among pregnant mothers can disrupt the synthesis of neurotransmitters and receptors in the brain cells of the fetus. Such effects could lead to long-lasting defects in brain function after birth. (Click here to read this study)Another study details how infants born to mothers with a history of high fluoride exposure exhibit differences in neuro-behavioral function shortly after birth, including delayed reaction to visual and auditory stimulus (Li 2004). According to the authors: "The present observations indicate that fluoride, as a toxic material to nerve development, can have an adverse impact on the neurobehavioral development of neonates." (Click here to read this study)Other studies include five additional human studies showing a correlation between elevated fluoride intake and reduced intelligence in children (Li 2003; Hong 2001; Guo 1991; Chen 1991; Qin 1990), along with two animal studies finding that fluoride produces "considerable deterioration" in the learning and memory abilities of mice (Sun 2000; Zhang 1999). And it doesn't stop here. FAN is now working on getting an additional 7 Chinese studies published for the first time in English-language journals by the end of the year. These additional studies include two studies showing that fluoride can pass the placenta and damage the brain of the fetus, and 5 more studies finding a reduction in IQ among children exposed to excess fluoride.New Review of Fluoride/IQ StudiesIn addition to the studies published this week, I am happy to announce that a review co-authored by Connett of FAN, was presented over the weekend at the conference of the International Association of Dental Research (IADR). The poster presentation, which co-wrote with Dr. Hardy Limeback from the University of Toronto, examines the findings from all existing fluoride/IQ studies conducted worldwide, including all of the IQ studies accessed via FAN's extensive investigation last year (see abstract below). In all, the review identified 20 studies which have investigated the link between fluoride and IQ. Of these 20 studies, 18 found that high fluoride exposure was significantly correlated with reduced IQ. While there are some limitations and inconsistencies with this data, the fact that 18 of 20 studies found a correlation between fluoride and reduced IQ should raise a huge red flag about the purported safety of ingested fluorides. At the very least, we hope the presentation will stimulate much greater attention to this issue among the pro-fluoride dental researchers who attended the conference. Fortunately, there have been indications - following the NRC report -- that scientists in the US are beginning to take notice of the fluoride/IQ connection. Earlier this year, a panel of prominent child health experts issued a consensus statement on chemicals that may cause "neurodevelopmental disorders." Based on one of the fluoride/IQ studies, as well as fluoride's potential to impair thyroid function, the panel included fluoride as a chemical that may cause neurodevelopmental harm. Imagine, however, what the panel's conclusion would have been if they had considered the 17 other studies showing the same result!Meanwhile, I can't help thinking about the "Got Teeth? Get Fluoride" slogan that many pro-fluoridation campaigners are using these days. Based on the evidence, the more fitting slogan would seem to be: "Got a Brain? Avoid Fluoride." Connett####http://iadr.confex.com/iadr/2008Toronto/techprogram/abstract_105335.htmFluoride and its effect on human intelligence. A systematic reviewM. CONNETT, Fluoride Action Network, Cambridge, MA, USA, and H. LIMEBACK, University of Toronto, CanadaObjectives: A systematic review was undertaken to examine if fluoride (F-) exposure is associated with a decline in human intelligence (IQ).Methods: Ovid MEDLINE and its allied versions, CINAHL, AMED, EMBASE, Cochrane DSR, ACP Journal Club, DARE, CCTR, CMR, HTA, and NHSEED, Health and Psychosocial Instruments, HealthSTAR, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts were searched from the earliest record until January 2008. Only original human studies examining the effect of F- on IQ were selected. Elevated F- in drinking water was the primary variable but studies where F- was elevated in the urine as a result of pollution were also included. Hand-searching of the bibliographies of the selected studies, as well as a separate search strategy in Cab Direct and online Chinese databases (Chinese version of Google Scholar and several others) were performed and the relevant studies were translated into English.Results: Of a total of 224 papers searched for relevancy from their titles, abstracts and full copy, 20 original studies met our inclusion criteria, were read in full and critiqued. Only 6 of the studies were reviewed by the 2006 US NRC Subcommittee on Fluoride in Drinking Water and 4 studies were published after 2006. The extent of F- exposure was reported in all but one study and 9 studies reported urinary F-. Most papers omitted important details (blinding, confounders, randomization). All but 2 reported statistically significant (t-tests) declines in IQ in children exposed to elevated levels of F-. Only 1 study reported a bivariate analysis and another a multiregression analysis. Three studies were conducted outside of China, suggesting that this is not just a relationship that is limited to one country.Conclusions: While the evidence is not conclusive, we identified 18 ecological studies that purport an association between high fluoride exposure and decreased human intelligence (IQ).Seq #212 - PTT Poster Session #22:00 PM-3:15 PM, Friday, July 4, 2008 Metro Toronto Convention Centre Exhibit Hall D-E###