Reduce the Risk of Autism During Pregnancy

Researchers recently studied the incidence of autism and the interpregnancy interval, the time interval between pregnancies. Using the birth records from 1996 to 2002, birth intervals of < 12 months, 12-23 and 24-35 months were evaluated.  What they found was quite amazing. Interpreganancy intervals less than 24 months were associated with an increased incidence of […]

NAC Reduces Anger and Aggression in Autism

Resperidone, according to the Federal Drug Administration, is one of two drugs approved for the treatment of Autism. It’s an antipsychotic medication that helps mostly with aggression, outbursts and in general to create a calmer child. Although it is merely a bandaid in that it just controls symptoms, it has its purpose in managing behavior […]

Anti-mitochondrial Antibodies in Autism – A Marker for Treatment?

Recent focus on new treatments for Autistic Spectrum disorders have zeroed in heavily on the immune component of this disease. Physicians around the world are becoming more and more convinced that Autism may be triggered by some autoimmune process leading to damage of the body’s own neurological system. Quite a few studies have pointed to […]

Fever Plus Mitochondrial Disease Could Be Risk Factor for Autistic Regression

Children diagnosed on the Autistic Spectrum present with a wide variety of genetic and environmental issues. Subgroups of these individuals have mitochondrial dysfunction. Very recent research was done to examine mitochondrial dysfunction and its association with autistic regression following a fever. In this research the investigators identified 28 patients who met diagnostic criteria for autistic spectrum disorders and mitochondrial disease. Autistic regression occurred in 60.7% (17 of 28), a statistically significant increase over the general autistic spectrum disorder population. Of the 17 individuals with autistic regression, 70.6% (12 of 17) regressed with fever and 29.4% (5 of 17) regressed without identifiable linkage to fever or vaccinations.

These researchers also noted that none of the subjects showed regression with vaccination unless a febrile response was present. The researchers concluded that although the study is small, a subgroup of patients with mitochondrial disease may be at risk of autistic regression with fever. In addition, although recommended vaccinations schedules are appropriate in mitochondrial dysfunction, fever management appears important for decreasing regression risk.

Landmark Study Gives More Evidence to the Mercury Autism Connection

A new study, “Biomarkers of Environmental Toxicity and Susceptibility in Autism” in the peer-reviewed Journal of the Neurological Sciences, confirms a causal link between sub acute mercury poisoning in children and their autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis. The autism community reported that this study presents, “…some compelling evidence…consistent with the author’s theory that mercury exposure plays a role in autism.” This paper presents the first prospective, blinded cohort study to examine children diagnosed with an ASD using: urinary porphyrin profile analysis (UPPA) to assess the body-burden and physiological effects of their mercury, glutathione analysis to assess susceptibility to mercury poisoning, and Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) scores to measure ASD severity.

These evaluations established:

1. Non-chelated patients diagnosed with an ASD had UPPA profiles indicative of mercury poisoning that strongly correlated with ASD severity, measured using CARS scores.
2. Glutathione (a key biochemical in the body’s mercury detoxification pathway) was significantly lower in patients diagnosed with an ASD in comparison with its level in neurotypical controls.
3. Increasing mercury-poisoning severity, as indicated by the UPPA results, was associated with lower glutathione levels among the patients diagnosed with an ASD.

Based upon these findings, the researchers concluded,

The Secretin Story- Still an Effective Treatment for Autism?

Secretin was one of the first “magic bullets” touted for autism. It is a hormone that stimulates the pancreas to release its digestive enzymes, particularly sodium bicarbonate which neutralizes the stomach’s acid. It was initially tested on a three year old autistic child, who had phenomenal results.

Parents Blamed for Measles Outbreaks Due to Fear of Autism

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that from January to July of this year 131 cases of Measles were reported from 15 states. This is the highest number of Measles in the Unites States since 1996 and public health officials are blaming the growing number of parents who refuse to vaccinate their children due to the association of Measles with Autism.

EEG Assessment and Treatment For Autistic Spectrum Disorders

As the Medical Director for Healing Solutions, I am always on the lookout for new treatments and therapies that I can employ to help our patients. In particularly, over the last 5 years has kept my attention, but I’ve been hesitant to fully endorse.

ANOTHER Study Links Thimerosal Exposure to Increasing Risk of Autism

Another recent study, this time published in Neurendocrinology Letters, has given more fuel to the movement that the vaccine preservative Thimerosal contributed to the rising incidence of autism.

Study Shows Mother’s of Autistic Children Has Similar Biochemical Patterns

A recent study from Dr. Jill James found significant similarities in biomedical markers commonly found in autistic children compared to their mothers, suggesting a consistent underlying genetic susceptibility.

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