Autism

DESCRIPTION

A biochemical and/or genetic disorder that causes an organic defect in brain development, autism occurs in early childhood (first diagnosis is typically no later than 30 months), and results in a neurological disorder that disrupts normal brain function, manifesting in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. Autistic children are usually retarded in their intellectual development, have significant difficulty with both verbal and non-verbal communication, and do not develop social relationships. Compulsive, and in some cases, aggressive and/or self-injurious behaviour may be present.

More than a half a million people in the US have some form of autism, which is the third most common developmental disorder and occurs in as many as 1 in 500 births. (In comparison, Down’s syndrome occurs in 1–2 of every 1,000 births.) Eighty percent of children born with autism are low birth weight males; the lower the birth weight, the higher the risk of autism.

 
FREQUENT SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

• Low birth weight
• Profound failure to develop social relationships
• Language disorder with impaired understanding, involuntary parrot-like repetition of a word or sentence just spoken by another person, and reversal of pronouns
• Rituals and compulsive actionsG
• General retardation in intellectual development (in most cases)

CAUSES

• A defect in serotonin metabolism in the brain:the basic defect appears to be a decrease in central nervous system serotonin activity despite elevated free tryptophan levels in the serum (tryptophan is the amino acid from which the body makes serotonin).
• Biochemical mechanisms: the following biochemical mechanisms are the most plausible theories toexplain the decrease in brain serotonin activity seen in autism:
• reduced activity of tryptophan hydroxylase or L-aromatic amino acid decarboxylase results in impaired serotonin synthesis that, via feedback control, leads to increased levels of free tryptophan in the serum.
• increased activity of the enzyme tryptophan oxygenase results in the production of high levels of kynurenine (a product of the metabolism of L-tryptophan, elevated in cases of vitamin B6 deficiency), reduces the tryptophan available for serotonin synthesis, and inhibits tryptophan transport across the blood–brain barrier. A further increase in tryptophan oxygenase activity is triggered when tryptophan levels rise, setting up a vicious cycle that continues the problem.
• Trigger mechanisms: researchers are uncertain as to what may initially trigger the biochemical mechanisms that then result in defective serotonin metabolism. Although genetic disorders are definitely a root cause, studies suggest the following environmental factors may contribute: infant vaccinations, food allergies, viral infections, fetal alcohol syndrome, lead poisoning, parasite infestation, yeast infections, trauma during birth delivery.
• Food allergies and intestinal permeability: gluten (a protein in wheat and other grains) and milk are thought to be major food allergens in autistic patients. Children with autism frequently suffer from  metabolic defects in the enzymes that break down certain opiatelike peptides in milk and wheat. These peptides then gain entry into the brain and significantly disrupt brain chemistry.
• Candida albicans: some evidence suggests that an overgrowth of the yeast, Candida albicans, may exacerbate behaviour problems in autistic children. The by-products of this yeast’s metabolism are toxins that damage the intestinal wall and thus can leak into the general circulation, impairing central nervous system and immune system function:
• behaviors related to Candida overgrowth may include confusion, hyperactivity, short attention span, lethargy, irritability, and aggression.
• health problems associated with Candida can include headaches, constipation, diarrhea, flatulence,
  distended stomach, and cravings for carbohydrates, fruits and sweets. Skin rashes, unpleasant odour of hair and feet, and an acetone smell from the mouth may also be present.

RISK INCREASES WITH

• Low birth weight
• Male sex
• Fetal alcohol syndrome
• Lead poisoning
• Parasite infestation
• Yeast infections
• Trauma during birth delivery
• Food allergies
• Infant vaccinations
• Viral infections

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

Pregnancy

• Don’t consume alcohol.
• Avoid known food allergens.
• Seek prompt treatment of any infection.
• Check water supplies for heavy metals.

Infant care

• Parents should become well informed about the pros and cons of infant vaccinations and make educateddecisions as to which vaccinations their child receives.
• In allergy-induced autism, symptoms become apparent during early infant life. Should a child exhibit excessive thirst, excessive sweating (especially at night), low blood sugar, diarrhoea, bloating, rhinitis,inability to control body temperature, red face and/or ears, and dark circles under the eyes, act aggressively to identify and remove potential allergens.
• Some children have autism that has been triggered by intolerance to foods and/or chemicals with the  main offenders being wheat, dairy products, corn, sugar, and citrus fruits. Allergies may, however, be a reaction to virtually any substance.

Expected outcomes

Sadly, the prognosis for the autistic child is currently poor; typically, only one in 20 will show any improvement by adulthood. The likelihood of improvement appears to be related to the results of IQ testing. As testing is difficult in autistic children, an experienced examiner is essential for an accurate assessment. Typically, about half of those children with an IQ over 50 can do moderately well, and some can attain normal adjustment, especially with appropriate behavioural therapy, psychotherapy, and special schooling. In those children with IQ scores under 50, temporal lobe epilepsy usually manifests eventually.

TREATMENT
No effective medical treatments currently exist for autism. Phenothiazines are used to control severe forms of aggressive and self-destructive behaviour but do not affect the underlying defect in serotonin metabolism, so do not correct the mental disorder. Natural therapies (including nutrient supplementation, allergy elimination, and a diet geared towards enhancing bowel detoxification of potential central nervous system toxins), which support normal serotonin metabolism and help minimize levels of central nervous system toxins, have been shown in a number of studies to greatly help a significant portion of children with autism.

 
Diet

• Identify and eliminate allergens from the diet.
• Milk and wheat are highly suspect since both contain highly allergenic proteins:
• in a study of 19 autistic children who were given diets that eliminated milk and/or gluten (a protein found in wheat and other grains) for 1 year, a decrease was seen in the excretion of peptides (the building blocks of proteins) in the urine. This decrease was accompanied by several behavioural improvements: an  increase in social contact, an end to self-mutilation like head-banging, and a decrease in “dreamy state” periods.
• Foods rich in factors that help improve the liver’s detoxification ability include:
• high-sulphur-content foods such as garlic, legumes, onions, and eggs
• good sources of soluble fibers such as pears, oat bran, apples, and legumes
• cabbage-family vegetables, especially broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage
• artichokes, beets, carrots, dandelion, and herbs and spices including turmeric, cinnamon, and licorice.

Nutritional supplements

Doses given below are suitable for children between the ages of 2 and 6 years and should be tailored to the size as well as the age of the patient:

• Folic acid, vitamin B12, and vitamin C: if the defect in serotonin metabolism is due to a decrease in activity of the enzyme tryptophan hydroxylase, supplementation with these three nutrients may help. Folic acid, vitamin B12 and vitamin C work together to increase levels of an enzyme called tetrahydrobiopterin [BH4] upon which the tryptophan hydroxylase enzyme depends. Increasing central nervous system levels of BH4 has helped patients with affective disorders and Parkinson’s disease; dosages:
• vitamin C: 1 g q.d.
• folic acid: 500 mg q.d.
• vitamin B12: 500 mg q.d.
• Pyridoxal phosphate, pyridoxine (vitamin B6) and magnesium: if the defect in serotonin metabolism
  is due to abnormal decarboxylation or kynurenine metabolism, then supplementation with vitamin B6 may be of significant help. Vitamin B6 (which is synthesized into its metabolically active coenzyme form, pyridoxal phosphate, in the liver) is associated with numerous enzymes necessary for the production of serotonin and other neurotransmitters including dopamine, noradrenaline and gamma-amino-butyric acid (GABA). Magnesium is required for the synthesis of pyridoxal phosphate; dosages:
• pyridoxal phosphate: 5–20 mg q.d.
• pyridoxine: 25–100 mg q.d.
• magnesium: 75–100 mg q.d.

Botanical medicines

•  Silymarin: a special extract from Silybum marianum (milk thistle), silymarin contains a group of flavonoid compounds that exert powerful beneficial effects in protecting the liver from damage and  enhancing detoxification processes:
• silymarin is an antioxidant many times more potent than vitamin E and vitamin C.
• silymarin prevents the depletion of glutathione, a powerful antioxidant essential to numerous detoxification processes in the liver.
• glutathione has the primary responsibility for eliminating fat-soluble toxins. The higher its glutathione levels, the greater the liver’s capacity to detoxify harmful chemicals
• dosage: 70–210 mg t.i.d.

Drug–herb interaction cautions
None.

 
Counselling

Autism requires specialized behavioral and psychological attention. Referral to a counselor experienced in working with autistic children is warranted.

ICIM Medics Approach

If you feel that this article relates to a family member or friend then please make an appointment to see Dr. Finbar Magee.  http://icimmedics.com/our-team/

This article is not meant to be used for treatment but for information purposes only. If you feel that this approach is appropriate please contact ICIM Medics on 045 844 819 or www.icim.ie e-mail : info@icim.ie  where an appointment can be arranged for you.

Tags: Autism, Brain Development, Neurological Disorder