Latest Autism News

(Shows natural supplements trump big pharma drugs for effectiveness with symptoms)

The parents of autistic children represent a vast and important reservoir of information on the benefits-and adverse effects- of the large variety of drugs and other interventions that have been tried with their children. Since 1967 the Autism Research Institute has been collecting parent ratings of the usefulness of the many interventions tried on their autistic children.

The following data have been collected from the more than 26,000 parents who have completed our questionnaires designed to collect such information. For the purposes of the present table, the parents responses on a six-point scale have been combined into three categories: “made worse” (ratings 1 and 2), “no effect” (ratings 3 and 4), and “made better” (ratings 5 and 6). The “Better:Worse” column gives the number of children who “Got Better” for each one who “Got Worse.”

New Findings on Genetic Link Between Autism and Mitochondrial Disease 02 Apr 2008

CHICAGO (Reuters) - U.S. researchers have found a genetic link between autism and a muscle-weakening disorder known as mitochondrial disease, they said on Sunday, in a finding that may open new avenues of research into the causes of autism.

"Recent studies have suggested that as many 20 percent of patients with autism have markers for mitochondrial disease," said Dr. John Shoffner, a neurologist and geneticist at Medical Neurogenetics in Atlanta, who presented his findings at the American Academy of Neurology meeting in Chicago.

"There has really not been much work done so far to push that issue," Shoffner said in a telephone interview.

Mitochondrial diseases are a set of genetic disorders in which energy-producing structures in cells are impaired. The disease is often triggered by an illness, such as a high fever, which can result in severe muscle weakening.

Shoffner wanted to see if he could identify the underlying genetic mechanisms that might explain this link.

He evaluated genetic samples and clinical information gathered on 37 children diagnosed with autism who had been evaluated at his clinic for mitochondrial disease.

Shoffner said the finding needs to be confirmed in other studies, but it does help to validate the hypothesis of a link between the two conditions in a subset of patients.

The big drug companies fund over 98% of all medical schools and organizations in the USA, including the AMA. To state that the bid drug companies like Eli Lilly (vaccine maker) has a vested interest in findings that suggest genetics and not vaccines or other environmental causes lead to Autism is an understatement. The article listed above is a case and point.

"Mercury, cadmium, and other heavy metals have a high affinity for sulfhydryl (-SH) groups, inactivating numerous enzymatic reactions, amino acids, and sulfur-containing antioxidants (NAC, ALA, GSH), with subsequent decreased oxidant defense and increased oxidative stress. Both bind to metallothionein and substitute for zinc, copper, and other trace metals reducing the effectiveness of metalloenzymes. Mercury induces mitochondrial dysfunction with reduction in ATP, depletion of glutathione, and increased lipid peroxidation; increased oxidative stress is common."

OPINION: You see, while it may be true that 60% of kids with Autism also have Mitochondrial Disease (M-D), and M-D might sometimes be genetic, M-D is also caused by Mercury and other environmental toxins. All in my opinion of course.

Autism Information: Autism Stats - How Mercury Causes Autism - Poor Digestion Autism Connection (pdf)

Autism Vaccine Connection - Vaccine Dangers - Help with Autism Symptoms - Latest Autism News

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Latest Autism News

Parent Ratings of Behavorial Effects of Biomedical Interventions

New Findings on Genetic Link Between Autism and Mitochondrial Disease 02 Apr 2008