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Reduced levels of digestive enzymes and abnormal bacterial presence in guts of children with autism.
Researchers at the Center for Infection and Immunity (CII) at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health and at the Harvard Medical School report that children with autism and gastrointestinal disturbances have altered expression of genes involved in digestion. These variations may contribute to changes in the types of bacteria in their intestines."The findings are consistent with other research suggesting that autism may be a system-wide disorder, and provide insight into why changes in diet or the use of antibiotics may help alleviate symptoms in some children," added Mady Hornig, MD, Director of Translational Research at the Center for Infection and Immunity.
Read Science Daily article. Impaired Carbohydrate Digestion and Transport and Mucosal Dysbiosis in the Intestines of Children with Autism and Gastrointestinal Disturbances
Study finds nutritional and metabolic deficiencies in ASD
A new study published in the journal Nutrition and Metabolism evaluates the nutritional and metabolic status of 55 children with autism spectrum disorders compared to 44 neurotypical children of similar age and gender. Compared to the neurotypical children, children with autism had significantly worse nutritional and metabolic status.
Some of the highlights of the study highlights:
- Low levels of ATP (a major fuel for the body and the brain) suggest that children with autism have impaired mitochondrial function (decreased energy production).
- The findings of lower levels of biotin and other vitamins, and biomarkers indicating increased need for vitamins, strongly suggests that vitamin/mineral supplementation would be helpful for most children with autism.
More details here, or link to the full version of the published paper here.
Principal investigator scheduled to speak at workshops in the UK this July - see events section.
Treating Autism conference: 18 and 19 June 2011, Queen Mary University, London
We are delighted to report that our 2011 conference was a big success. Many many thanks to all our wonderful speakers and to all delegates for their contributions and feedback.
Highlights and interviews with our conference speakers are now available on our Treating Autism YouTube channel. You can now also watch a conference report - a Treating Autism Special, on Autism Mothers TV channel.
A big THANK YOU to our donors and exhibitors for making this possible: Genova Diagnostics Europe, Mandi Mart, Great Plains Laboratory, Cenaverde, Coconoil, Autism File, Nutricentre, Jean Muscroft, Dr Michael Culp, Dr Lothar Ziegar, Maria Griffths/Family Nutrition in Practice, Margo Goldspink/Olive Tree Clinic, Philippa Manning/Elmbridge Nutritional Therapy, Healthy House, Declan Mulkeen/Communicaid, Joann Loos/Beadinkitsbymail, Beth Burton/Fast Forword, Alan Heath/Learning Solutions, Devon Rose Meats, Jane Stooks/Positive Path Play Therapy, Cultured Probiotics, New Hopes Nutrition, Lucinda Miller/Naturedoc, Sue Simmons/Elemental Nutrition, Vitascan, Mycology Research Labs and Elisa Ferriggi/Think Autism.
Gut flora and gastrointestinal status in children with autism correlates with autism severity
A study by Arizona State University found strong correlation of gastrointestinal symptoms with autism severity. Their results indicate that children with more severe autism are likely to have more severe gastrointestinal symptoms and vice versa. The results of this research confirm once more the widespread abnormalities of gastrointestinal function in autism and the likelihood of GI problems in autism being a contributing factor to the severity of the disorder. access full paperRecent News
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