Another study finds no vaccine link

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The actual evidence is that there is no connection.

The principal author of the the paper you quoted from got her PhD in Human Development and Communication Sciences. Her only claimed affiliation is with an apparently very minor entity rather than with hospitals or medical research groups. That doesn't give me any confidence in her results.

We need more studies like this. I knew there was no link all along.

Hmmmmm, a quick AI inquiry into mercury crossing the BBB quickly shows that it not only can easily pass through but can cause symptoms and neurological issues closely related to autism. I know many out there refuse to accept this as truth, even though science has known it for many years. Autism itself is an umbrella term that covers an extremely wide range of neurological issues, which is part of the confusion people seem to have.

Most people here would be most likely be on the aspie area of the spectrum, and in this particular area there is a belief that this form of autism does have a significant genetic aspect and cause. There also happens to many neurological issues that are currently being classified as autism that seem to show zero or minimal genetic causation. If not genetic then what?

From AI

Yes, certain forms of mercury, especially methylmercury and ethylmercury, can cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Once in the brain, mercury can cause serious neurological damage, including impaired cognitive and motor development, nerve damage, and oxidative stress, leading to a range of symptoms from mild attention deficits to severe developmental problems in children.
How mercury crosses the blood-brain barrier
Organic mercury:
Methylmercury and ethylmercury are forms of organic mercury that are fat-soluble and can readily cross the BBB. They use an active transport system, similar to that for amino acids like methionine, to move across the barrier.
Elemental mercury:
Elemental mercury is also lipid-soluble and can cross the BBB, especially when inhaled, and can also enter the brain from the nasal cavity via the olfactory pathway.
Impeded exit:
Once elemental mercury is in the brain, it is oxidized to the mercuric ion, which has difficulty crossing back out of the brain and can get trapped, leading to accumulation.
Effects of mercury on the brain
Damage to developing brains:
In unborn babies and young children, mercury exposure can harm the developing nervous system, potentially leading to impaired cognitive abilities, learning disabilities, and motor skill problems.
Neurotoxicity:
Mercury can damage neurons and interfere with their normal function. It can cause oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and interfere with critical molecular pathways, such as glutamate signaling.
Specific damage:
In adults, the cerebellum and cerebral cortex are particularly vulnerable, with mercury exposure causing neuron loss in these areas.
Long-term accumulation:
Organic mercury can be converted to inorganic mercury in the brain, and while the organic form can exit, the inorganic form can persist in brain tissue for years. This persistent presence contributes to long-term neurological damage.
Cognitive and motor effects:
Symptoms of mercury poisoning can include a variety of issues such as movement abnormalities, visual problems, convulsions, and a lowered IQ.
Other considerations
Risk factors:
Developing fetuses, unborn children, and young children are especially at risk because their nervous systems are still developing.
Clinical presentation:
Neurotoxicity often takes time to manifest after exposure because the mercury needs time to accumulate in the brain above a toxic threshold.
Biomarkers:
Blood mercury can be a good indicator of short-term exposure, while urine mercury is a better indicator of long-term exposure to both elemental and inorganic mercury.

Aluminum also can cross the BBB and cause neurological issues as well. According to a quick and easy AI search we find that

Yes, aluminum can pass through the blood-brain barrier (BBB), and it is considered a neurotoxin that can accumulate in the brain and contribute to neurological problems like memory and thinking issues. Aluminum can enter the brain through the BBB, choroid plexuses, and the nasal cavity. Once inside the brain, it can cause problems such as cognitive impairment and is linked to the development of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
How aluminum enters the brain
Through the blood-brain barrier:
While the BBB normally prevents many substances from entering the brain, aluminum can pass through it by altering the BBB's permeability to allow more material to enter.
Via the nasal cavity:
Aluminum can be inhaled through the nose and travel directly to the brain.
Through the choroid plexuses:
The choroid plexuses also provide a route for aluminum to enter the brain.
By "Trojan horse" mechanism:
Aluminum can be carried into the brain by immune cells that transport it across the BBB.
Effects on the brain
Cognitive impairment:
Aluminum exposure has been shown to cause cognitive impairment and is linked to neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
Cellular damage:
Aluminum can induce neuronal apoptosis (cell death) through mechanisms like endoplasmic stress and mitochondrial dysfunction.
Altered BBB function:
Aluminum can increase the permeability of the BBB, allowing more harmful substances to enter the brain. It may also affect the expression of proteins crucial to the BBB's integrity.
Accumulation and persistence:
Aluminum that enters the brain can persist for a long time because its clearance from the brain is slow.

Then we must look into if there is a cumulative effect of mercury and aluminum once past the BBB.

According to AI

Once aluminum and mercury cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB), they can accumulate in the brain, causing neurotoxicity by inducing oxidative stress, interfering with cellular processes, and leading to neurodegenerative damage over time.
This can contribute to cognitive decline and neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. The cumulative effects include damage to neurons, altered neurotransmission, and potential neuroinflammation. 
Cumulative effects of aluminum Oxidative stress: Aluminum induces oxidative stress, which can lead to the death of neurons (apoptosis). 

Neurofilament disruption: It interferes with the transport and assembly of neurofilaments, which are crucial for the structure and function of neurons. 

Protein accumulation: Aluminum has been linked to the accumulation of abnormal tau and amyloid-beta proteins in the brain, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. Slow elimination: The long elimination half-life of aluminum from the brain (\(7\) years) means it can accumulate over time, causing continuous damage. 

Cumulative effects of mercury Neurotransmitter disruption: Mercury can directly harm neurons by interfering with essential biochemical processes, including neurotransmission. 
Oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction: It can cause oxidative stress and damage to mitochondria, leading to cell dysfunction and death. 

Neurodevelopmental effects: Chronic exposure, especially during childhood, can lead to a range of neurological problems, including difficulty with concentration, coordination, and executive function. Neurobehavioral and psychiatric symptoms: Long-term exposure can result in tremors, anxiety, and other psychiatric issues. Shared and combined effects Shared pathways: Both metals can cause neurotoxicity through shared pathways like oxidative stress and disruption of the nervous, endocrine, and immune systems. Complex interactions: The combined effect of exposure to both aluminum and mercury can be different from exposure to either one alone, as they can interact and cause damage through multiple mechanisms. 

WHO Reaffirms That 'Childhood Vaccines Do Not Cause Autism' After Reviewing Latest Research