BEIJING, April 19 (Xinhuanet) -- No evidence was found that dental fillings containing mercury can cause brain damage or other neurological problems in children, researchers say in a report on Wednesday.

Dental fillings containing mercury are safe, two recent studies show.

    Advocacy groups and some dentists have long contended that the mercury in fillings can leach into the body and cause harmful neurological effects.

    But two latest studies, which are being published in this week's issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association, found no evidence of harm done to children by what are known as amalgam fillings.

    Studies support the continued use of dental amalgam as an important treatment option, reads a statement from the American Dental Association.

    Amalgam fillings, also called silver fillings, are made of mercury and other metals and have been used by dentists for more than a century. But in recent years doctors began to switch to resin composite fillings, which are white and considered more appealing.

    In one study, researchers examined 507 children, ages 8 to 10, in Lisbon, Portugal, and tested them repeatedly for seven years to determine whether mercury fillings had any neurological effects.

    "We didn't see any indications of harm to these kids," said Dr. Timothy DeRouen of the University of Washington, who led the study.

    Another study, led by Dr. Sonja McKinlay of the New England Research Institutes, looked at the effect on intelligence, memory and other mental functions, and kidney function. It involved 534 children in New England, ages 6 to 10.

    The children were given either amalgam or mercury-free fillings after a cavity was detected. After five years, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups when it came to measuring IQ, memory or visual-motor abilities. One notable difference: Children in the amalgam group showed higher levels of mercury in their urine.

    Some experts called the findings reassuring. But the studies are unlikely to end the debate over the long-term effects of amalgam fillings, and some people accused the researchers of conducting unethical experiments on children. Enditem

    (Agencies)