Dyslexia and fish oil supplements have a really intimate relationship.

While this disorder is often seen as a learning disability, it’s often viewed by many to be a nutritional disorder. And though adding fish oil to the diet may not be called a “cure”, it certainly will make a huge difference.

Fish oil supplements and dyslexia are best handled during the pregnancy and nursing stages. To prevent further complications, it’s best to make sure that a baby will get optimum levels of omega 3 fatty acids from the mother.

A lot of research has shown that fish oil is a vital factor in the proper growth of a child’s brain.

Studies indicate that children born to mothers who eat adequate amounts of oily fish or take fish oil supplements are less likely to have ADD, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia and a host of many developmental disorders.

That is good news for mothers who are planning to have more children. But what if you already have a kid with dyslexia?

Well, there’s positive news for you as well. Research on omega 3 fish fatty acids shows great promise for children with dyslexia- as well as for adults.

It looks like almost every study made on dyslexia starts by stating this widely-accepted fact ? that developmental dyslexia is associated with the lack of highly unsaturated fatty acids, which are the very same fatty acids noted in fish. This surely tells something about the disease.

A study conducted at the Oxford University Laboratory of Physiology, and published in Prostaglandins Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids, suggests that “children with high fatty acid deficiency ratings showed poorer reading and lower general ability” than kids who do not have the deficiency.

In addition, these researchers went on to indicate that the results of their study “support the hypothesis that fatty acid deficiency may add to the severity of dyslexic problems.” [Vol. 63:69-74]

Okay, so specifically what’s there with fish oil supplements and dyslexia?

Our friends at the Laboratory of Physiology have good news. They have concluded through their research that dyslexia can be treated specifically through supplementing with omega 3 fatty acid fish oil.

These findings are fully supported by other studies too. S.M. Baker for instance, noted in the Journal of Learning Disabilities that kids with dyslexia have shown remarkable improvement with schoolwork after treatment with fatty acids.

B. J Stordy also wrote in Lancet that there was a normalization of visual deficits in dyslexic adults after being supplemented with omega 3 fatty acids. [Vol. 346:385]

What makes this particularly of importance is that visual deficits are noted to be a major component of dyslexia.

I agree with this! However it’s kind of funny why scientists keep saying that they need to do more studies on this subject. I presume it’s because they’ll lose their research grants if they finally reveal the answer. Therefore, they keep on leaving an option for more funding.

However, if you have a family member dealing with this disorder, you need not wait further. You should start by increasing the intake of omega 3 fish oil.

And based on the studies made, I would say that a dyslexic needs to ensure that they are receiving 1 to 4grams daily.

Source: autism

Dyslexia and fish oil supplements have a really intimate relationship.

While this disorder is often seen as a learning disability, it’s often viewed by many to be a nutritional disorder. And though adding fish oil to the diet may not be called a “cure”, it certainly will make a huge difference.

Fish oil supplements and dyslexia are best handled during the pregnancy and nursing stages. To prevent further complications, it’s best to make sure that a baby will get optimum levels of omega 3 fatty acids from the mother.

A lot of research has shown that fish oil is a vital factor in the proper growth of a child’s brain.

Studies indicate that children born to mothers who eat adequate amounts of oily fish or take fish oil supplements are less likely to have ADD, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia and a host of many developmental disorders.

That is good news for mothers who are planning to have more children. But what if you already have a kid with dyslexia?

Well, there’s positive news for you as well. Research on omega 3 fish fatty acids shows great promise for children with dyslexia- as well as for adults.

It looks like almost every study made on dyslexia starts by stating this widely-accepted fact ? that developmental dyslexia is associated with the lack of highly unsaturated fatty acids, which are the very same fatty acids noted in fish. This surely tells something about the disease.

A study conducted at the Oxford University Laboratory of Physiology, and published in Prostaglandins Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids, suggests that “children with high fatty acid deficiency ratings showed poorer reading and lower general ability” than kids who do not have the deficiency.

In addition, these researchers went on to indicate that the results of their study “support the hypothesis that fatty acid deficiency may add to the severity of dyslexic problems.” [Vol. 63:69-74]

Okay, so specifically what’s there with fish oil supplements and dyslexia?

Our friends at the Laboratory of Physiology have good news. They have concluded through their research that dyslexia can be treated specifically through supplementing with omega 3 fatty acid fish oil.

These findings are fully supported by other studies too. S.M. Baker for instance, noted in the Journal of Learning Disabilities that kids with dyslexia have shown remarkable improvement with schoolwork after treatment with fatty acids.

B. J Stordy also wrote in Lancet that there was a normalization of visual deficits in dyslexic adults after being supplemented with omega 3 fatty acids. [Vol. 346:385]

What makes this particularly of importance is that visual deficits are noted to be a major component of dyslexia.

I agree with this! However it’s kind of funny why scientists keep saying that they need to do more studies on this subject. I presume it’s because they’ll lose their research grants if they finally reveal the answer. Therefore, they keep on leaving an option for more funding.

However, if you have a family member dealing with this disorder, you need not wait further. You should start by increasing the intake of omega 3 fish oil.

And based on the studies made, I would say that a dyslexic needs to ensure that they are receiving 1 to 4grams daily.

Source: omega 3

Dyslexia and fish oil supplements have a really intimate relationship.

While this disorder is often seen as a learning disability, it’s often viewed by many to be a nutritional disorder. And though adding fish oil to the diet may not be called a “cure”, it certainly will make a huge difference.

Fish oil supplements and dyslexia are best handled during the pregnancy and nursing stages. To prevent further complications, it’s best to make sure that a baby will get optimum levels of omega 3 fatty acids from the mother.

A lot of research has shown that fish oil is a vital factor in the proper growth of a child’s brain.

Studies indicate that children born to mothers who eat adequate amounts of oily fish or take fish oil supplements are less likely to have ADD, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia and a host of many developmental disorders.

That is good news for mothers who are planning to have more children. But what if you already have a kid with dyslexia?

Well, there’s positive news for you as well. Research on omega 3 fish fatty acids shows great promise for children with dyslexia- as well as for adults.

It looks like almost every study made on dyslexia starts by stating this widely-accepted fact ? that developmental dyslexia is associated with the lack of highly unsaturated fatty acids, which are the very same fatty acids noted in fish. This surely tells something about the disease.

A study conducted at the Oxford University Laboratory of Physiology, and published in Prostaglandins Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids, suggests that “children with high fatty acid deficiency ratings showed poorer reading and lower general ability” than kids who do not have the deficiency.

In addition, these researchers went on to indicate that the results of their study “support the hypothesis that fatty acid deficiency may add to the severity of dyslexic problems.” [Vol. 63:69-74]

Okay, so specifically what’s there with fish oil supplements and dyslexia?

Our friends at the Laboratory of Physiology have good news. They have concluded through their research that dyslexia can be treated specifically through supplementing with omega 3 fatty acid fish oil.

These findings are fully supported by other studies too. S.M. Baker for instance, noted in the Journal of Learning Disabilities that kids with dyslexia have shown remarkable improvement with schoolwork after treatment with fatty acids.

B. J Stordy also wrote in Lancet that there was a normalization of visual deficits in dyslexic adults after being supplemented with omega 3 fatty acids. [Vol. 346:385]

What makes this particularly of importance is that visual deficits are noted to be a major component of dyslexia.

I agree with this! However it’s kind of funny why scientists keep saying that they need to do more studies on this subject. I presume it’s because they’ll lose their research grants if they finally reveal the answer. Therefore, they keep on leaving an option for more funding.

However, if you have a family member dealing with this disorder, you need not wait further. You should start by increasing the intake of omega 3 fish oil.

And based on the studies made, I would say that a dyslexic needs to ensure that they are receiving 1 to 4grams daily.

Source: children

Dyslexia and fish oil supplements have a really intimate relationship.

While this disorder is often seen as a learning disability, it’s often viewed by many to be a nutritional disorder. And though adding fish oil to the diet may not be called a “cure”, it certainly will make a huge difference.

Fish oil supplements and dyslexia are best handled during the pregnancy and nursing stages. To prevent further complications, it’s best to make sure that a baby will get optimum levels of omega 3 fatty acids from the mother.

A lot of research has shown that fish oil is a vital factor in the proper growth of a child’s brain.

Studies indicate that children born to mothers who eat adequate amounts of oily fish or take fish oil supplements are less likely to have ADD, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia and a host of many developmental disorders.

That is good news for mothers who are planning to have more children. But what if you already have a kid with dyslexia?

Well, there’s positive news for you as well. Research on omega 3 fish fatty acids shows great promise for children with dyslexia- as well as for adults.

It looks like almost every study made on dyslexia starts by stating this widely-accepted fact ? that developmental dyslexia is associated with the lack of highly unsaturated fatty acids, which are the very same fatty acids noted in fish. This surely tells something about the disease.

A study conducted at the Oxford University Laboratory of Physiology, and published in Prostaglandins Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids, suggests that “children with high fatty acid deficiency ratings showed poorer reading and lower general ability” than kids who do not have the deficiency.

In addition, these researchers went on to indicate that the results of their study “support the hypothesis that fatty acid deficiency may add to the severity of dyslexic problems.” [Vol. 63:69-74]

Okay, so specifically what’s there with fish oil supplements and dyslexia?

Our friends at the Laboratory of Physiology have good news. They have concluded through their research that dyslexia can be treated specifically through supplementing with omega 3 fatty acid fish oil.

These findings are fully supported by other studies too. S.M. Baker for instance, noted in the Journal of Learning Disabilities that kids with dyslexia have shown remarkable improvement with schoolwork after treatment with fatty acids.

B. J Stordy also wrote in Lancet that there was a normalization of visual deficits in dyslexic adults after being supplemented with omega 3 fatty acids. [Vol. 346:385]

What makes this particularly of importance is that visual deficits are noted to be a major component of dyslexia.

I agree with this! However it’s kind of funny why scientists keep saying that they need to do more studies on this subject. I presume it’s because they’ll lose their research grants if they finally reveal the answer. Therefore, they keep on leaving an option for more funding.

However, if you have a family member dealing with this disorder, you need not wait further. You should start by increasing the intake of omega 3 fish oil.

And based on the studies made, I would say that a dyslexic needs to ensure that they are receiving 1 to 4grams daily.

Source: fish oil

Dyslexia and fish oil supplements have a really intimate relationship.

While this disorder is often seen as a learning disability, it’s often viewed by many to be a nutritional disorder. And though adding fish oil to the diet may not be called a “cure”, it certainly will make a huge difference.

Fish oil supplements and dyslexia are best handled during the pregnancy and nursing stages. To prevent further complications, it’s best to make sure that a baby will get optimum levels of omega 3 fatty acids from the mother.

A lot of research has shown that fish oil is a vital factor in the proper growth of a child’s brain.

Studies indicate that children born to mothers who eat adequate amounts of oily fish or take fish oil supplements are less likely to have ADD, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia and a host of many developmental disorders.

That is good news for mothers who are planning to have more children. But what if you already have a kid with dyslexia?

Well, there’s positive news for you as well. Research on omega 3 fish fatty acids shows great promise for children with dyslexia- as well as for adults.

It looks like almost every study made on dyslexia starts by stating this widely-accepted fact ? that developmental dyslexia is associated with the lack of highly unsaturated fatty acids, which are the very same fatty acids noted in fish. This surely tells something about the disease.

A study conducted at the Oxford University Laboratory of Physiology, and published in Prostaglandins Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids, suggests that “children with high fatty acid deficiency ratings showed poorer reading and lower general ability” than kids who do not have the deficiency.

In addition, these researchers went on to indicate that the results of their study “support the hypothesis that fatty acid deficiency may add to the severity of dyslexic problems.” [Vol. 63:69-74]

Okay, so specifically what’s there with fish oil supplements and dyslexia?

Our friends at the Laboratory of Physiology have good news. They have concluded through their research that dyslexia can be treated specifically through supplementing with omega 3 fatty acid fish oil.

These findings are fully supported by other studies too. S.M. Baker for instance, noted in the Journal of Learning Disabilities that kids with dyslexia have shown remarkable improvement with schoolwork after treatment with fatty acids.

B. J Stordy also wrote in Lancet that there was a normalization of visual deficits in dyslexic adults after being supplemented with omega 3 fatty acids. [Vol. 346:385]

What makes this particularly of importance is that visual deficits are noted to be a major component of dyslexia.

I agree with this! However it’s kind of funny why scientists keep saying that they need to do more studies on this subject. I presume it’s because they’ll lose their research grants if they finally reveal the answer. Therefore, they keep on leaving an option for more funding.

However, if you have a family member dealing with this disorder, you need not wait further. You should start by increasing the intake of omega 3 fish oil.

And based on the studies made, I would say that a dyslexic needs to ensure that they are receiving 1 to 4grams daily.

Source: omega 3

2008 Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting Explores Therapeutic Possibilities for Autism and Related Disorders

The premiere research event for everything brain-related takes place once a year in the late Fall. This year Washington, D.C. played host to more than 30,000 neuroscientists from around the world, including many Autism Speaks grantees, for the five day Society for Neuroscience meeting November 15-19. Exciting developments in the neurosciences and other related scientific fields were presented; below are the highlights that pertain to autism:

Exploring a Link Between Autism and the Immune System

For the last few years the link between the nervous and immune systems in autism has been an expanding field of exploration. At this year’s Society for Neuroscience (SFN) meeting, the connection was explored in much greater detail. Previously researchers have shown that activation of the maternal immune system during pregnancy, by infection or inflammation, results in altered offspring behaviors reminiscent of autism. AS-funded research results from the laboratory of Nicholas Ponzio, Ph.D., UMDNJ, extended the findings on the impact of maternal immune activation in a new direction. Whereas previous research has focused on the effects that maternal immune activation have upon the offspring’s brain development, Dr. Ponzio presented preliminary data showing that in utero exposure to immune stimuli also impacts development of the offspring’s own immune system. Specifically he found that their peripheral blood cells were skewed more toward Th1 or Th17 responses, both of which are known to be involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, and thus might contribute to immune abnormalities.

Using a different model system and focusing on the brain, John Panos, Ph.D., from Western Michigan University, examined the overall effect of pro-inflammatory cytokines (mediators of immune responses) on the development of the glutamate neurotransmitter system. His team found that direct administration of particular cytokines immediately after birth leads to unusual locomotor behaviors in adults challenged with phencyclidine (an anesthetic). Most interestingly, the responses differed between males and females, reminiscent of autism’s overall gender bias. AS-grantee Kimberly McAllister, Ph.D. (UCDavis) is undertaking a finer-grained analysis to look at the direct effect of cytokines on synapses. Using an in vitro cell culture model of brain development, her lab found that the same pro-inflammatory cytokines previously determined to be elevated in brains of individuals with autism can, indeed, directly affect development of glutamate-containing synapses. In her exciting preliminary experiments presented at the meeting, IGF-1, TNF?, TGF?, and MCP-1, all were found to increase the density of glutamate synapses. Once again, this hints at the profound but previously unknown impact that immune molecules may have on brain development. This avenue of research perhaps represents the most rapidly expanding new area of autism research.

Tracking Down the Biology of Environmental Factors

Sergiu Pasca and colleagues from Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy (Romania) and University of Szeged (Hungary) reported on the activity of an enzyme believed to help counteract the toxic effects of organophosphates in a population of Romanian children with autism. The enzyme, called paraoxonase, is believed to protect against oxidative damage of lipids and was less active in children with autism. The gene that codes for the variant called Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) has previously been reported to show aberrant variations in some individuals with autism. Although these authors did not find correlations between gene mutations and enzymatic activity, the demonstration of lower function of PON1 may suggest a weakened ability to tolerate organophosphates in individuals with autism.

Also of specific interest to autism, a group of investigators from the NY Institute for Basic Research presented initial results on a mouse model of animals exposed during infancy to the triad of chemicals found to be very elevated in the drinking water of Brick Township, NJ, an area of the country with an unusually high autism prevalence. Although animals exposed to the same concentrations found in Brick Township showed no obvious effects, animals given extremely high doses (10-100 times the Brick Township concentrations) did begin to show behavioral phenotypes. The results appeared significant only for the male mice, indicating that males are more susceptible to these toxic exposures, and the investigators are now pursuing which biochemical pathways have been disrupted by the Brick Township chemicals.

In a series of novel presentations, the laboratory of Richard Lin, Ph.D., University of Mississippi, described new findings regarding how in utero exposure to a common medication, citalopram, one of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), can profoundly affect brain development in previously unexplored ways. Because imaging studies have documented abnormal white matter in children with autism, the group is currently focusing on the effects of citalopram on oligodendrocytes, the cells that compose the brain white matter. Other environmental factors discussed during the meeting include the cell biological effects of ethanol and heavy metals upon glutathione synthesis by Richard Deth, Ph.D., Northeastern University, and the mechanisms of cell death caused by long-term, low-dose methylmercury exposure by the laboratory of AS Board member, Manny DiCicco-Bloom, M.D., Ph.D., UNMDJ.

Finally, in research published earlier this year, Gregory Barnes, M.D. (Vanderbilt University) reported that mice deficient in the protein neuropilin 2 (NPN2) have decreased counts of inhibitory interneurons in the hippocampus and are susceptible to seizure. At this year’s meeting Dr. Barnes recapitulated the results in mice deficient in the molecule SEMA 3F, which is the ligand, or molecular partner, for NPN2. Because the SEMA 3F gene is susceptible to inactivation by methylmercury, these studies may also support a role for environmental factors regulating the development of inhibitory circuitry. Inhibitory circuitry is extremely important in nervous system function and, due to the frequency of seizures, believed to be relevant to the development of autism.

Unique Model Systems for Autism

Several sessions of the five day meeting focused on animal models of autism. One of the most novel models presented was the disruption of neuroligin gene activity in the worm C. elegans. The neuroligin genes, involved in synapse function, are associated with a subset of individuals with autism and are therefore being heavily investigated for what they may reveal about the biology of autism. Humans and mice have several neuroligin genes, making it difficult to dissect out their specific functions or how loss of the gene products leads to behavioral defects. The worm, on the other hand, has a single neuroligin gene and, in comparison, an extremely simple nervous system that is easily manipulated experimentally. For these reasons it has become a model system of choice for many geneticists and behaviorists. Using a grant from Autism Speaks awarded to create a worm that lacks neuroligin activity, Jim Rand, Ph.D. (University of Oklahoma) now reports that the animals, which look and act roughly normal, have very specific sensory abnormalities including differences in integrating sensory information and sensitivity to thermal stimuli. Moreover, in a surprising and potentially very exciting convergence, Dr. Rand found that these worms that have been engineered to be deficient in a synapse protein are also hypersensitive to oxidative stress and appear to be in a more oxidated state. These unexpected results may ultimately unite the metabolic and functional connectivity theories of biological dysfunction in autism, two theories that have been until now pursued in isolation.

In the past years, thanks in large part to Autism Speaks’ Autism Genetic Resource Exchange (AGRE) and Autism Genome Project, several genetic risk factors have been linked to individuals with autism. Sometimes these changes cause deletions of genes but sometimes they only result in changes of a single letter in a specific gene (called a “point mutation”). For example, as described above, in rare cases people with autism have a very specific point mutation in the Neuroligin-3 gene. AS grantee Craig Powell, M.D., Ph.D. (UT Southwestern) created mice in which the original Neuroligin-3 gene was replaced by the mutated form of the gene. The resulting mice looked normal but had specific changes in their neuronal connectivity – the amount of inhibitory transmission at their synapses in the somatosensory cortex was increased by 50%. These mice also exhibited some subtly impaired social behaviors and enhanced spatial learning abilities, consistent with a model for autism. In a surprising twist though, mice with a complete deletion of the gene showed none of the phenotypes that the mice with the point mutation did. This suggests that the protein made by the gene with the autism point mutation acts detrimentally by gaining some unknown new function rather than just by losing all of its normal function. This information leads to very different implications for how to construct a potential treatment and demonstrates the extreme importance of the type of nuanced information that can be derived from model systems.

Highlighting Exciting New Therapeutic Possibilities for Autism

The above findings were presented in a mini-symposium chaired by Dr. Powell on mouse models and treatment strategies. Clearly a highlight of the meeting, several hundred researchers in attendance heard thrilling stories of new treatment strategies for neurodevelopmental disorders associated with autism. For example, it has been found that a reduction of a specific glutamate receptor (mGluR5) in mice can reverse most of the phenotypes of mice lacking the gene that causes Fragile X; an mGluR5 antagonist is already in development as a potential therapeutic for the disorder. Moreover, a mouse model for Angelman syndrome showed improvement by manipulations that modified a single specific biochemical pathway, and phenotypes in mice with a mutation in the Rett syndrome gene were rescued by an inhibitor of histone deacetylase complexes (HDAC). Adding to this exciting development, in a separate session researchers from Dublin, Ireland showed that they could successfully use HDAC inhibition to reverse some social defects in the valproic acid model of autism.

Hope for treatment in another human neurodevelopment disorder, Tuberous Sclerosis (TS) was presented by the laboratory of Alcino Silva, Ph.D (UCLA). TS is caused by mutations in either the Tsc1 and Tsc2 genes. Mice carrying one mutant copy of the Tsc2 gene show cognitive impairments in learning and memory. In a series of important experiments, the researchers identified that the mutation causes a particular biochemical signaling pathway, known as mTOR signaling, to be excessively activated. Armed with this knowledge, the investigators found that simple administration of a drug known to shut down this signaling pathway reversed the learning deficits in these mice. In different mutant mice whose nerve cells carry two defective copies of the other TS gene, Tsc1, the same drug improved survival, decreased brain enlargement and improved neurological findings.

Hormones and Autism

The “extreme male brain” theory of autism hypothesizes that the social and communication deficits in autism are caused by an elevated exposure of the fetus to testosterone, the male sex hormone. Researchers from the laboratory of Flavio Keller, M.D., ( Università Campus Biomedico di Roma) sought to use an animal model of autism to test whether changing the ratio of sex hormones in infancy can indeed impact behavior. To directly test the theory, they used a genetic model of autism in which one copy of the reelin gene, important for the development of the cerebellum, is deleted. Reelin mice display a number of subtle deficits that are anatomically related to those found in autism, and which differ in presentation between male and female mice. The researchers administered the sex hormone estradiol to neonatal reelin mice and found this corrected a variety of different behaviors, including perseverative behaviors in male reelin mice. These observations support the notion that an imbalance in estrogen/testosterone levels may be etiological for behaviors observed in autism and, more importantly, that the activities and signaling pathways of these hormones can be targeted therapeutically.

Using another type of animal model, the prairie vole, to investigate if social behaviors are amenable to treatment, AS-grantee Larry Young, Ph.D. (Emory University) is also examining another hormone system that has been implicated in autism. His group hypothesized that d-cycloserine (DCS), a drug known to enhance human cognition, may act synergistically with oxytocin, the “trust” hormone, to promote partner bonding in this species. When they injected DCS into the brain region where oxytocin acts, they found that it did promote social bonding and partner preference in the female voles. Future studies will determine how the drug acts, perhaps in partnership with oxytocin, and may represent a possible therapy for the social cognitive deficits observed in autism. Such investigations are important because they show that, complex as they are, behaviors reminiscent of autism may be susceptible to simple pharmacological intervention.

Perception, Brain Circuitry and Motor Planning

Perception involves the cognitive processing of sensory information. It has long been known that many individuals with autism experience either heightened or dampened sensory sensitivity, though little science was available to explain these experiences. This year, altered perception in individuals with autism was the subject of many of different studies.

AS-grantee Mark Tommerdahl, Ph.D., and his laboratory at UNC Chapel Hill reported observing a surprising response to repeated vibratory stimulation applied to the skin. People with autism showed less adaptation to previous stimulation than typical control subjects. Adaptation is a sensory phenomenon that serves to adjust the dynamic range of sensation to be appropriate for the current environment. For example, people typically adapt to the sensation of their own clothing, making them relatively unaware of the continued presence of clothing, however any new stimulation, such as a brush on the arm from someone walking by, would be immediately sensed. The new findings may suggest that people with autism continue responding to “background” activity that typical sensory systems discount, putting them into a constant heightened sensory alert. Current models of sensory adaptation suggest that this phenomenon is related to alterations in the inhibitory circuitry, which fits well with many of the changes in synaptic activity seen in animal models. The tests that Dr. Tommerdahl developed are very fast and non-invasive, so they could easily be used to detect improvements in these inhibitory circuits following treatments.

Mark Wallace, M.D., and his group at Vanderbilt University found that individuals with autism were taking longer time periods to integrate multisensory stimuli than do individuals without autisn, possibly contributing to difficulties in processing multimodal social communication. Encouragingly, they showed that perceptual training can shorten the window of integration and that the training effects can generalize to other aspects of multisensory integration. If these experiments hold true, they could offer an important entry point into improving some of the perceptual problems in individuals with autism.

Finally, there was also very interesting progress in understanding the apparent problems of children with autism in activating the mirror neuron network. The mirror neuron network is thought to be important for imitating and learning new motor skills. Now, Giacomo Rizzolatti, M.D., and his group from Parma, Italy provided evidence suggesting that although the mirror neuron system is functional in children with autism for individual movements such as reaching and grasping, the deficit is in understanding the intention and planning of motor actions - rather than taking into account the final goal of a multistep action, children with autism appear to be processing each step of a complicated motor sequence one step at a time. This work was highlighted as part of one of the major lectures presented to thousands of the researchers at the conference, generating much discussion over how this illuminates many of the great challenges faced by individuals with autism every day.

Final Emerging Theme from the 2008 SFN Meeting

Altogether these research advances demonstrate the ostensible “treatability” of the component features of autism despite varying etiologies proposed (genetic, immunologic, endocrinologic, perceptional). Such results, which have emerged only in the last two years, are rapidly redirecting researchers to an entire new field of research that is energizing the movement for autism treatment. The results also suggest that the complexity of autism will not require one “cure-all” strategy but an arsenal of therapies that is adaptable to the underlying biology of the presenting symptoms in each individual.

Source: children

Though there has yet to be a cure found for autism, there are studies ongoing in hopes of finding the root of the problem. There are many theories about why this happens to some children, and also why the numbers of those being diagnosed are so high. At the moment they are just theories. One such theory looks utilizing a glyconutrients autism treatment.

There is a body of thought that purports that when a child is not getting enough glyconutrients autism might be one of the possible results.

If you don???‚¬?„?t know what glyconutrients are, you can think of them as the same things as what others refer to as the sugars in your body

. You get these from foods that you eat. Glyconutrients keep the body moving, and they also aid in keeping the immune system running in tip-top form to protect the body. Because autism is considered to be an autoimmune condition, this leads some to believe that a lack of these glyconutrients might contribute to a child developing autism.

There are those who believe that almost 75% of all disease and other medical conditions are a result of the ???‚¬??free radicals???‚¬?„? that invade our bodies each day. These can be anything that is not normally found in the body, and that the body has to work to get rid of as soon as possible. Free radicals are formed from inhaling smoke, from the preservatives in foods and drinks, and other types of toxins. We are bombarded with these each day. If the immune system is impaired, it cannot process these free radicals quickly enough and they start to build up, which can lead to illness.

There are some that believe that glyconutrients should be supplemented in some children, as they may not be getting the level of nutrients required from the foods that they eat. Children are notorious for being picky about what they will eat. Supplements would then allow the immune system to work better, and the toxins would be easily flushed from the body. Though no one can say that this might stop autism from occurring, some believe it might help with some of the problems of a child who has already been diagnosed. Some parents who have supplemented with glyconutrients claim that this had made a huge difference, and yet others report no such difference in behavior.

There has yet to be any scientific research that points to glyconutrients being a huge help for those with autism just yet. There are many great things that can come from supplementing glyconutrients. However, autism may not may not respond to it, but there are studies that are ongoing.

However, if you believe that glyconutrients autism treatment is right for your child, you should never attempt to do this on your own. Talk to your doctor about the pros and cons first, and if you do decide to do it, you should make sure your doctor knows what is going on, and that you allow them to evaluate as they see fit. It is not wise to start a supplement program without medical supervision.

UCLA researchers have discovered that an FDA-approved drug reverses the brain dysfunction caused by tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC); because half of TSC patients also suffer from autism, the researchers are hopeful the treatment can address associated learning disorders. The journal Nature Medicine published the findings in its June 22 online edition.

The scientists used the drug rapamycin on mice models of TSC; rapamycin is well-known for targeting an enzyme involved in creating proteins needed for memory. The same enzyme is also regulated by TSC proteins.

“This is the first study to demonstrate that the drug rapamycin can repair learning deficits related to a genetic mutation that causes autism in humans. The same mutation in animals produces learning disorders, which we were able to eliminate in adult mice,” said lead investigator Alcino Silva, professor of neurobiology and psychiatry at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. “Our work and other recent studies suggest that some forms of mental retardation can be reversed, even in the adult brain.”

The researchers studied mice bred with tuberous sclerosis complex and confirmed that the animals suffered from the same severe learning disabilities as human patients. The learning problems were tied to biochemical changes and abnormal functioning of the hippocampus, a brain structure that plays a vital role in memory.

“After only three days of treatment, the TSC mice learned as quickly as the healthy mice,” said first author Dan Ehninger, postgraduate researcher in neurobiology. “The rapamycin corrected the biochemistry, reversed the learning deficits and restored normal hippocampal function, allowing the mice’s brains to store memories properly.”

Source: rapamycin

By Kim Stagliano

GFCF diet is getting attention and research at UT’s Health Science Center at Houston, Texas. I’m happy to see the study underway, since without proof on paper by scientists at a university, pediatricians will continue to turn around during the exam and roll their eyes when we mention the diet. Just as they did to parents who swore by the Feingold Diet before a study illustrating the adverse effects of artificial colors and flavors on behaviors proved what Mom and Dad had known for years. To its credit, the AAP did put out a statement about the success of the Feinfold diet for some children. It’s a shame American kids aren’t put onto this diet as a matter of course and “prescription” from a doctor (the only way many parents will try the diet) before ADHD drugs.

I have a couple of questions about this GFCF diet study.

1) Who is funding this study? 2) Why only four weeks long? Many of us did not see changes within this short time period. 3) How do they plan to ensure that there is no “cheating?” Will they give the families all of their food for the four weeks? It’s very hard to ferret out all sources of gluten and casein when you’re new to the diet and even as a veteran. 4) Who is funding this study? (Yes, I realize that one repeats.)

(HealthNewsDigest.com)- HOUSTON — Researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston have embarked on one of the first double-blind, clinical studies to determine whether gluten and dairy products play a role in autistic behavior as parents have anecdotally claimed.

The pilot study is one of seven current studies on autism in the Department of Pediatrics and the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston.

“There’s a lot of misinformation, so that’s why this study is so important,” said Fernando Navarro, M.D., assistant professor of pediatrics at the medical school and lead investigator of the study. “Hundreds and hundreds of parents think this works but we need serious evidence.”

Read the full article HERE.

Kim Stagliano is Managing Editor of Age of Autism. She just ate two pieces of birthday cake. One she baked for her husband’s birthday, loaded with gluten and casein. The other she baked for her children, GFCF. Which tasted better? Only her hairdresser knows… (and if you’re too young to get that line, my apologies. Google it.)

Source: Autism News

Researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston have embarked on one of the first double-blind, clinical studies to determine whether gluten and dairy products play a role in autistic behavior as parents have anecdotally claimed.The pilot study is one of seven current studies on autism in the Department of Pediatrics and the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston.

“There’s a lot of misinformation, so that’s why this study is so important,” said Fernando Navarro, M.D., assistant professor of pediatrics at the medical school and lead investigator of the study. “Hundreds and hundreds of parents think this works but we need serious evidence.”

Autism is a complex neurobehavioral disorder linked to early abnormalities of brain development. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, it affects up to six of every 1,000 children and is characterized by impaired social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication and unusual, repetitive or severely limited activities and interests.

Researchers have discovered that there are differences in the central nervous system’s anatomy and function in those diagnosed with autism, but the cause of the disorder is unknown. Experts theorize it may be a combination of genetics and environment.

“A lot of children with autism have gastrointestinal problems such as constipation and diarrhea. Whether these problems are related to brain development is open to question,” said Katherine Loveland, Ph.D., co-investigator and professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, pediatrics and biomedical sciences at the health science center. “There are neurotransmitters and neuroreceptors in the gut that correspond with those in the brain. There are some scientific reasons to think that some kids may benefit from this diet.”

For the double-blind study, funded in its initial phase by supplemental funds granted by the Department of Pediatrics, researchers will enroll 38 autistic children ages 3 to 9. They will look at the influence of gluten and milk proteins in the intestinal function. Gluten is a protein in wheat; casein and whey are proteins in milk. Casomorphin, a peptide in milk; and gliadomorphin, a peptide in gluten, are thought to be related to changes in behavior in these children. Children will be taken off gluten and dairy products before the four-week study and then half will be given gluten/milk powder and half will be given a placebo powder.

Researchers will study intestinal permeability (leaky gut) through urine collection and behavior through psychometric testing.

Co-investigators for the study are J. Marc Rhoads, M.D., professor and director of gastroenterology at the medical school, and Deborah A. Pearson, Ph.D., professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences.

Children will be enrolled through the UT Physicians pediatric gastroenterology clinic and The University of Texas Mental Sciences Institute. Navarro and Rhoads are attending physicians at Memorial Hermann hospitals. For more information on the study, call 713-500-5669.

Source: General