In a study of 100 families, researchers had identified at least six new genes
that appear to underlie the disorder!
Autism is not just a single disease but can be caused by a range of genetic and
environmental factors. Autism appears to be caused by the combination of faulty DNA
and something in the physical or social environment of an affected child after birth.
[1]The genetic cause is known for only about 15 percent of autism cases. [2] The
mutations that cause fragile X syndrome and Rhett's syndrome result in autism. But
unlike diseases such as cystic fibrosis, the vast majority of autism cases can't be
traced to a single mutation. Instead, a growing number of different genes have been
linked to a growing percentage of autism cases. [3]
Scientists believe the strength of synchronization between functionally related areas in
the right and left hemispheres may be a measure of how well the brain is working.
Researchers have discovered their brain activity appears to be out of sync at a very
early stage. [Reuters, June 22, 2011]
Autism spectrum disorders include a range of poorly understood brain conditions,
from the mild Asperger's syndrome to more severe autism characterized by poor
social interaction, impaired communication and repetitious behaviors. [2]
Autism symptoms emerge at an age when the developing brain is refining the
connections between neurons in response to a child's experience. [1]
Whether or not certain important genes turn on is thus dependent on
experience-triggered neural activity. Disruption of this refinement process may be a
common mechanism of autism-associated mutations. [1]
Many of the mutations did not result in missing or damaged genes, but simply turned
them off. This means that we would not need to replace the gene, if we could only
figure out how to reactivate it, perhaps with medications.[1]
Diet and Nutrition
There is increasing interest in the use of gluten- and casein-free diets for children with
autism spectrum disorders. Gastrointestinal symptoms are described in 9-54% of
autistic children, among which most common are: constipation, diarrhea and
abdominal distension. [Wasilewska J et al Pol Merkur Lekarski. 2009
Jul;27(157):40-3.]
In one case, various therapies were introduced to a 5-month-old boy with autism,
growth and developmental retardation. Gastrointestinal problems such as frequent
post-prandial vomiting and severe constipation were noted as well. At the age of 42
months, the boy was subjected to a gluten and casein-free diet. Soybean milk and rice
were substituted for cow's milk, bread and noodles. After 2.5 months, interpersonal
relations including eye to eye contact and verbal communication improved. At 5.5
months the boy was capable of playing and sharing toys with his sibling and other
children, behavior noted to be closer to that of an unaffected child. In addition, the
decreased frequency of postprandial vomiting led to a significant increment in body
weight, body height and vitality after 11 months on the diet. [Hsu CL et al Chang Gung
Med J. 2009 Jul-Aug;32(4):459-65.]
Gluten-free or casein-free diets have thus been tested in controlled studies, with
contradictory results. With such diets, some studies show symptom regression but
others report negative side effects, essentially protein malnutrition. Some autistic
children lack some amino acids such as glutamic or aspartic acids for example and
this deficiency would create autistic symptoms. However, for some authors, these
deficits are attributed to nutritional deficits caused by the food selectivity of children.
Vitamin B6 improved autistic signs in some cases. However, these results still remain
debated. [Hjiej H et al, Encephale. 2008 Oct;34(5):496-503.]
Rossignol DA. International Child Development Resource Center performed a
systematic literature search of electronic scientific databases to identify studies of
novel and emerging treatments for Autism, including nutritional supplements, diets,
medications, and nonbiological treatments:
Grade A treatments for ASD (> 2 randomized controlled trials):
melatonin, acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, naltrexone, and music therapy.
Grade B treatments (> 1 randomized controlled trial or 2 nonrandomized controlled
trials):carnitine, tetrahydrobiopterin, vitamin C, alpha-2 adrenergic agonists,
hyperbaric oxygen treatment, immunomodulation and anti-inflammatory treatments,
oxytocin, and vision therapy.
Grade C treatments (> 1 nonrandomized controlled trial)
carnosine, multivitamin/mineral complex, piracetam, polyunsaturated fatty acids,
vitamin B6/magnesium, elimination diets, chelation, cyproheptadine, famotidine,
glutamate antagonists, acupuncture, auditory integration training, massage, and
neurofeedback.
[Rossignol DA. Ann Clin Psychiatry. 2009 Oct-Dec;21(4):213-36. ]
email: rossignolmd@gmail.com
Natural Therapy - Supplements and Herbs?
5-HTP
Autism is accompanied by a central serotonergic hypoactivity and that the latter could
play a role in the pathophysiology of autism. L-5-hydroxytryptophan administration to
autistic youngsters increases the blood concentrations of serotonin in patients but not
in controls. [4,5] The effect of 5-HTP supplements on Autism is still unclear. Do not
supply 5-HTP to an Autistic kid without doctors' consultation.
I notice a few online marketers promote fish oil, Kava root, or even growth hormone for
Autism. Again, clinical supports for such claim are too limited (or even none). Discuss
with your doctor before providing any supplements to an autistic kid.
[1] Autism gene search turns up hope for treatmentReuters Thu Jul 10, 2008 2:48pm EDT[2] LAURAN NEERGAARD Genes
from Middle East families yield autism clues Associated Press Jul 10 2008 [3] Autism Cause: Brain Development Genes?
Genes Missing in Autism Needed for Learning-Triggered Brain Growth WebMD Health News July 10, 2008 [4] Croonenberghs
J, Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2007 Aug;28(4):449-55.] [5] Croonenberghs J, Life Sci. 2005 Mar 25;76(19):2171-83.]
that appear to underlie the disorder!
Autism is not just a single disease but can be caused by a range of genetic and
environmental factors. Autism appears to be caused by the combination of faulty DNA
and something in the physical or social environment of an affected child after birth.
[1]The genetic cause is known for only about 15 percent of autism cases. [2] The
mutations that cause fragile X syndrome and Rhett's syndrome result in autism. But
unlike diseases such as cystic fibrosis, the vast majority of autism cases can't be
traced to a single mutation. Instead, a growing number of different genes have been
linked to a growing percentage of autism cases. [3]
Scientists believe the strength of synchronization between functionally related areas in
the right and left hemispheres may be a measure of how well the brain is working.
Researchers have discovered their brain activity appears to be out of sync at a very
early stage. [Reuters, June 22, 2011]
Autism spectrum disorders include a range of poorly understood brain conditions,
from the mild Asperger's syndrome to more severe autism characterized by poor
social interaction, impaired communication and repetitious behaviors. [2]
Autism symptoms emerge at an age when the developing brain is refining the
connections between neurons in response to a child's experience. [1]
Whether or not certain important genes turn on is thus dependent on
experience-triggered neural activity. Disruption of this refinement process may be a
common mechanism of autism-associated mutations. [1]
Many of the mutations did not result in missing or damaged genes, but simply turned
them off. This means that we would not need to replace the gene, if we could only
figure out how to reactivate it, perhaps with medications.[1]
Diet and Nutrition
There is increasing interest in the use of gluten- and casein-free diets for children with
autism spectrum disorders. Gastrointestinal symptoms are described in 9-54% of
autistic children, among which most common are: constipation, diarrhea and
abdominal distension. [Wasilewska J et al Pol Merkur Lekarski. 2009
Jul;27(157):40-3.]
In one case, various therapies were introduced to a 5-month-old boy with autism,
growth and developmental retardation. Gastrointestinal problems such as frequent
post-prandial vomiting and severe constipation were noted as well. At the age of 42
months, the boy was subjected to a gluten and casein-free diet. Soybean milk and rice
were substituted for cow's milk, bread and noodles. After 2.5 months, interpersonal
relations including eye to eye contact and verbal communication improved. At 5.5
months the boy was capable of playing and sharing toys with his sibling and other
children, behavior noted to be closer to that of an unaffected child. In addition, the
decreased frequency of postprandial vomiting led to a significant increment in body
weight, body height and vitality after 11 months on the diet. [Hsu CL et al Chang Gung
Med J. 2009 Jul-Aug;32(4):459-65.]
Gluten-free or casein-free diets have thus been tested in controlled studies, with
contradictory results. With such diets, some studies show symptom regression but
others report negative side effects, essentially protein malnutrition. Some autistic
children lack some amino acids such as glutamic or aspartic acids for example and
this deficiency would create autistic symptoms. However, for some authors, these
deficits are attributed to nutritional deficits caused by the food selectivity of children.
Vitamin B6 improved autistic signs in some cases. However, these results still remain
debated. [Hjiej H et al, Encephale. 2008 Oct;34(5):496-503.]
Rossignol DA. International Child Development Resource Center performed a
systematic literature search of electronic scientific databases to identify studies of
novel and emerging treatments for Autism, including nutritional supplements, diets,
medications, and nonbiological treatments:
Grade A treatments for ASD (> 2 randomized controlled trials):
melatonin, acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, naltrexone, and music therapy.
Grade B treatments (> 1 randomized controlled trial or 2 nonrandomized controlled
trials):carnitine, tetrahydrobiopterin, vitamin C, alpha-2 adrenergic agonists,
hyperbaric oxygen treatment, immunomodulation and anti-inflammatory treatments,
oxytocin, and vision therapy.
Grade C treatments (> 1 nonrandomized controlled trial)
carnosine, multivitamin/mineral complex, piracetam, polyunsaturated fatty acids,
vitamin B6/magnesium, elimination diets, chelation, cyproheptadine, famotidine,
glutamate antagonists, acupuncture, auditory integration training, massage, and
neurofeedback.
[Rossignol DA. Ann Clin Psychiatry. 2009 Oct-Dec;21(4):213-36. ]
email: rossignolmd@gmail.com
Natural Therapy - Supplements and Herbs?
5-HTP
Autism is accompanied by a central serotonergic hypoactivity and that the latter could
play a role in the pathophysiology of autism. L-5-hydroxytryptophan administration to
autistic youngsters increases the blood concentrations of serotonin in patients but not
in controls. [4,5] The effect of 5-HTP supplements on Autism is still unclear. Do not
supply 5-HTP to an Autistic kid without doctors' consultation.
I notice a few online marketers promote fish oil, Kava root, or even growth hormone for
Autism. Again, clinical supports for such claim are too limited (or even none). Discuss
with your doctor before providing any supplements to an autistic kid.
[1] Autism gene search turns up hope for treatmentReuters Thu Jul 10, 2008 2:48pm EDT[2] LAURAN NEERGAARD Genes
from Middle East families yield autism clues Associated Press Jul 10 2008 [3] Autism Cause: Brain Development Genes?
Genes Missing in Autism Needed for Learning-Triggered Brain Growth WebMD Health News July 10, 2008 [4] Croonenberghs
J, Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2007 Aug;28(4):449-55.] [5] Croonenberghs J, Life Sci. 2005 Mar 25;76(19):2171-83.]
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Autism herbs, supplements, vitamins, natural treatment, alternative therapy and information -
ZHION.COM - June 20, 2011 zhion@zhion.com
ZHION.COM - June 20, 2011 zhion@zhion.com
Discuss with your doctor for any medical issues. This article is for reference only, it is not a medical
advice. All rights reserved. Do not copy this article to other website or blog.
advice. All rights reserved. Do not copy this article to other website or blog.