Archive by Author

Mitochondrial Dysfunction and autism. Brief Q and A with lead author

13 Dec

Mitochondrial Dysfunction was thrust back into the news again earlier this month when a team from UC Davis led by Professor Cecilia Giulivi discovered:

In this exploratory study, children with autism were more likely to have mitochondrial dysfunction, mtDNA overreplication, and mtDNA deletions than typically developing children

In itself this is a fascinating development and the first true look at whether autistic children were more likely or not to have mtDNA dysfunction(s).

However, as ever in the world of autism, the world of the anti-vaccinationists are never far behind. This passage from Harold Doherty demonstrates this bizarre need to always conflate the two:

The Poling family was successful in advancing a vaccine injury claim on behalf of their daughter Hannah Poling to the point of settlement by US authorities. Hannah’s father is Dr. Jon Poling, a practicing neurologist in Athens, Georgia, and clinical assistant professor at the Medical College of Georgia. He reviewed his daughter’s case in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on April 11, 2008. In his comments Dr. Poling explained how mitchondrial dysfunction was related to his daughter’s case and to the existence of a possible mitochondrial dysfunction subgroup of autism disorder. He also discussed, as a medical doctor who expressly recognized the importance of vaccines in preventing serious diseases, the need for public health authorities to abandon fear tactics and conduct research to restore confidence in public health authorities and vaccines

In order to try and staunch the upcoming flood of misunderstandings and false statements like those implied by Doherty (and John Poling whom other mtDNA specialists such as John Shoffner clearly don’t trust on the issue), I contacted Professor Giulivi and asked her three simple questions about the study she is lead author of. She supplied three simple answers.

KL: Do you think, based on available science (including your paper) that vaccines cause autism?

CG: We do not have any evidence for this in our study. Our study was cross-sectional not longitudinal so it cannot point to any cause (not just vaccines), meaning we do not have anydata supporting one way or another.

KL: If so, why is this? Does it follow (in your opinion) that mitochondrial dysfunction can be triggered by a vaccine?

CG: Again, please see (1).

KL: Do you believe your own paper adds weight to any opinion regarding autism causation by any means?

CG: No. At this point we do not know if it is mainly genetic, environmental or a combination of both. Again, with a cross-sectional study you get a snapshot of the situation but not how you got to that situation.

There you have it. The lead author of the study everyone is raving about is very carefully pointing out that the study in question does not add weight to _any_ hypothesis of autism causation, let alone vaccines.

Health inequity in children and youth with chronic health conditions.

10 Dec

A recent paper in the Journal Pediatrics looks at differences in prevalence, incidence, survival and other disparities for children with chronic health conditions. These conditions include autism along with acute leukemia, asthma, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis, diabetes mellitus, Down syndrome, HIV/AIDS, major congenital heart defects, major depressive disorder, sickle cell anemia, spina bifida, and traumatic brain injury.

Health inequity in children and youth with chronic health conditions.

Berry JG, Bloom S, Foley S, Palfrey JS.

Complex Care Service, Program for Patient Safety and Quality, Children’s Hospital Boston, Fegan 10, 300 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA. jay.berry@childrens.harvard.edu
Abstract

BACKGROUND: Over the last decades, there have been great advances in health care delivered to children with chronic conditions, but not all children have benefitted equally from them.

OBJECTIVES: To describe health inequities experienced by children with chronic health conditions.

METHODS: We performed a literature review of English-language studies identified from the Medline, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Cancer Institute, and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Web sites that were published between January 1985 and May 2009, included children aged 0 to 18 years, and contained the key words “incidence,” “prevalence,” “survival,” “mortality,” or “disparity” in the title or abstract for the following health conditions: acute leukemia, asthma, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorders, cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis, diabetes mellitus, Down syndrome, HIV/AIDS, major congenital heart defects, major depressive disorder, sickle cell anemia, spina bifida, and traumatic brain injury.

RESULTS: Black children had higher rates of cerebral palsy and HIV/AIDS, were less likely to be diagnosed with ADHD, had more emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and had higher mortality rates associated with asthma; and survived less often with Down syndrome, type 1 diabetes, and traumatic brain injury when compared with white children. Hispanic children had higher rates of spina bifida from Mexico-born mothers, had higher rates of HIV/AIDS and depression, were less likely to be diagnosed with ADHD, had poorer glycemic control with type 1 diabetes, and survived less often with acute leukemia compared with white children.

CONCLUSIONS: Serious racial and ethnic health and health care inequities persist for children with chronic health conditions.

Autism is not unique in that there are racial and ethnic disparities involved. It is clear that many of the disparities involving autism are artificial. For example, there almost certainly aren’t large differences between races and ethnic groups in terms of the fraction of autistic people. And, yet, there are big differences in the number of people identified as autistic.

One focus of the IACC is to direct more research into better identification within the diverse groups in the US, as well as seeing what differences may really exist withing these groups. Here is one short term goal in the Plan:

Enhance existing case-control studies to enroll racially and ethnically diverse populations affected by ASD by 2011. IACC Recommended Budget: $3,300,000 over 5 years.

I am of the opinion that we could use a lot more money applied to exploring autism in diverse populations.

Challenging untested and unsafe autism therapies: the “anti-cure” defense

10 Dec

A recent post here on LeftBrainRightBrain discusses a new alternative therapy for autism: fecal transplants. Yes, you read that correctly, fecal transplants. The concept is simple, if poorly thought out: assume that autism is related to the “gut-brain” connection. If a child’s intestines have the wrong bacteria, why not replace them with bacteria from a non-autistic individual? The procedures involved take a couple of paths. One can collect “healthy” fecal matter, store it in a bucket for a week and then, using a cake-decorating funnel, transplant the fecal matter to the autistic child. Alternatively, one can obtain a naso-gastro tube from a veterinary supply house and transplant the fecal matter through that route.

In case you are wondering: (A) I did not make that up and (B) I am certainly not recommending anyone do this.

In my experience, most times when someone is critical of a “therapy”, you can count on a number of set responses. Number one automatic response is usually, “you are anti-cure”.

It’s a dodge. A diversion. A way to avoid the very serious question of safety.

Safety is a very important discuss that should be led by the biomed community. Unfortunately many of their most vocal proponents avoid the discussion. Labeling people “anti-cure” is a short and effective. It’s easy. It is not a way to live up to the responsibility that the leaders of the biomed community have to themselves, other parents and, most importantly, the autistic children involved.

Take fecal-transplants. It isn’t an autism cure. The risks of illness by “transplanting” feces into the stomach or intestines of a child should be obvious to all. Kev has expressed outrage at this practice. That isn’t anti-cure.

It really is well past time for the biomed leadership to actually lead. It is very rare that any theory, any “treatment” gets a critical review by them.

It is time for them to stop hiding behind the false-shield of the word “cure”.

Thank you, SafeMinds, for pulling the attack on Skepchick

10 Dec

First some background. Recently, a blogger (at Skepchick.org) started a campaign to inform movie theaters about the advertisements that SafeMinds was placing on their screens. The theaters decided to pull the advertisements. In response, SafeMinds, through their media outlet Age Of Autism and the AoA facebook page, launched a petty attack on Skepchick. The attack went beyond typical cyber bullying, with at least one comment that went beyond the pale. After many hours and much pressure, SafeMinds and Age of Autism edited many of the comments. They have now pulled the discussion entirely from their facebook page. An apology would certainly be in order, and I would appreciate it that if anyone knows of such an apology that they let us know here.

Even in absence of an apology, I would like to thank SafeMinds and Age of Autism for pulling the discussion. It only served to embarrass the autism communities.

Unfortunately, there is more fallout from the harsh response that SafeMinds and Age of Autism brought in response to the theaters’ decision to pull the advertisements. Liz Ditz at I Speak of Dreams reports that the theaters are now refusing actual public service announcements involving flu vaccines.

Bring the crazy – Fecal Transplant

9 Dec

There’s a few places around the interweb that you can always count on for a good old dose of craziness. One of those is the Autism Web forums, where the latest trend being discussed is Fecal Transplant.

Yeah. Fecal Transplant.

It is actually a known therapy to attempt to cure

…pseudomembranous colitis (caused by Clostridium difficile), or ulcerative colitis which involves restoration of colon homeostasis by reintroducing normal bacterial flora from stool obtained from a healthy donor.

Feeling a bit icky yet?

But like so many known treatments for known ailments (chelation for example), the extreme biomed party like to put their own unique twist on things:

Ok, you guys, I got some info for you, please do not hate me 🙂
Here is how this procedure was done by that physician in canada who does not practice anymore.
you collect the stool from a healthy relative (mother, father , so on) for a week in a bucket, no preservatives or cooling. Then mix well, fill in a decorating cone (that cloth cone you use to decorate a cake).
Use the cone as an enema to empty all the content in the patient’s colon. The patient needs to hold that as long as possible.

Does that in theory mean no more GFCG diets, yeast treatments, mega supplements if it works right? Is there the potential for this to actually reverse autism, then? With the autism/gut connection it sure makes sense. I’ll admit I didn’t read this post initially because it sounded so gross, but now that I’ve started to look into it…..it may really work.

Hooray!!! Playing ‘doctor’ via the internet and subjecting your kids to it!! Just wonderful.

Autism Science Foundation’s Recipe4Hope campaign

9 Dec

The Autism Science Foundation is a charity which focuses on funding autism research. They have a very clear mission statement:

The Autism Science Foundation’s mission is to support autism research by providing funding and other assistance to scientists and organizations conducting, facilitating, publicizing, and disseminating autism research. The foundation also provides information about autism to the general public and serves to increase awareness of autism spectrum disorders and the needs of individuals and families affected by autism. Read about our achievements in 2010 on our Ingredients page.

Our organization adheres to rigorous scientific standards and values. We believe that outstanding research is the greatest gift we can offer our families. Every research dollar needs to count toward that goal, and we make sure that it does.

The Autism Science Foundation is a nonprofit corporation organized for charitable and educational purposes and exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code. All donations are tax deductable to the full extent allowed by law.

Learn more about our foundation at http://www.autismsciencefoundation.org.

One focus of the ASF has been to fund graduate level researchers. I find this an especially good goal in that in addition to promoting research, this brings more people into the autism research community.

The Recipe4Hope campaign will raise money for autism research. According to the ASF: “Every dollar donated by December 31 through this special year-end campaign will go directly to autism research.”

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The 2011 Current Trends in Autism Conference

8 Dec

I just got my second announcement for this conference in my email. The 2011 Current Trends in Autism Conference will be held in April of 2011. The conference is being organized by LADDERS. LADDERS is an effort by the Nancy Lurie Marks Family Foundation. So far there aren’t many details on the conference, but given the scope of the Foundation and of Ladders, I have hope that this will be a good, quality conference.

The Nancy Lurie Marks Foundation established an effort at Massachusetts General Hospital to focus on the needs of autistic adults, with a $29M grant.

Here is the announcement:

The 2011 Current Trends in Autism Conference will take place April 29-30, 2011, at Crowne Plaza Boston – Natick Hotel.

We will present the most up to date, scientifically sound information in the field of Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders to parents and professionals concerned about children, adolescences and adults whose diagnosis falls along the Autism Spectrum.

Neurobiological and clinical research, as well as strategies for interventions have advanced dramatically over the past several years and our distinguished faculty will report on what is now known, how what we know can be applied to the education and care of those with Autism, and what direction future research needs to take in order to advance our knowledge and understanding of this disorder.

All proceeds from the conference are used to finance new and ongoing neurobiologic research and to support ongoing evaluation and treatment services and the development of new interventional programs.

More details to come.

Upcoming IACC Full Committee Meeting – December 14, 2010 – Bethesda, MD

8 Dec

The Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee will have a full committee meeting on December 14th. This meeting is to work on the update for the Strategic Plan.

Now is a good time to send the IACC your input. What would you like them to know as they make the Plan? What research should they focus upon? What should they not focus upon?

Want a quick way to send your thoughts? Click here to send an email with the subject “IACC public comment”.

Here are some links to send emails with various subject lines:

Please do more research involving issues concerning autistic adults

Please do more research on services

the current science doesn’t support spending money on the vaccine hypothesis

Here is the announcement. If you have the time, even for part of the day, it is worthwhile to listen in and hear how these decisions are made.

Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) Full Committee Meeting

Please join us for an IACC Full Committee meeting that will take place on Tuesday, December 14, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET in Bethesda, MD. Onsite registration will begin at 9:00a.m.

Agenda: The IACC will discuss plans for the annual update of the IACC Strategic Plan for Autism Spectrum Disorder Research.

Meeting location:
The Bethesda Marriott – Google map imageMap and Directions
5151 Pooks Hill Road
Bethesda, MD 20814

The meeting will be open to the public and pre-registration is recommended. Seating will be limited to the room capacity and seats will be on a first come, first served basis, with expedited check-in for those who are pre-registered.

The meeting will be remotely accessible by videocast (http://videocast.nih.gov/) and conference call. Members of the public who participate using the conference call phone number will be able to listen to the meeting, but will not be heard.

Conference Call Access
USA/Canada Phone Number: 888-577-8995
Access code: 1991506

Individuals who participate using this service and who need special assistance, such as captioning of the conference call or other reasonable accommodations, should submit a request to the contact person listed above at least seven days prior to the meeting. If you experience any technical problems with the webcast or conference call, please e-mail IACCTechSupport@acclaroresearch.com.

Please visit the IACC Events page for the latest information about the meeting, including registration, remote access information, the agenda and information about other upcoming IACC events.

Contact Person for this meeting is:

Ms. Lina Perez
Office of Autism Research Coordination
National Institute of Mental Health, NIH
6001 Executive Boulevard, NSC
Room 8185a
Rockville, MD 20852
Phone: 301-443-6040
E-mail: IACCpublicinquiries@mail.nih.gov

SafeMinds retaliates against skeptic blogger

7 Dec

SafeMinds is an organization with the stated purpose to “…to restore health and protect future generations by eradicating the devastation of autism and associated health disorders induced by mercury and other man made toxicants. ” SafeMinds has stayed with this purpose even as the years have gone by and the evidence has mounted that the SafeMinds hypothesis was incorrect (autism is not a form of mercury poisoning). Recently, SafeMinds produced an advertisement, framed as a public service announcement, focusing on mercury in the flu vaccine and tried to get these shown in movie theaters. As we discussed here recently, Elyse over at Skepchick started an effort to inform the movie theaters about SafeMinds. Her effort snowballed into a large petition and resulted in the movie theaters deciding to not show the SafeMinds advertisement.

Recently, SafeMinds has chosen to leave the discussion of ideas and take on Elyse in a personal attack, through their media effort at the Age of Autism. SafeMinds is not only a key sponsor of Age of Autism, but Mark Blaxill (SafeMinds board member) is one of the three principle editors of the Age of Autism blog.

Again, rather than discuss the issues, they pulled Elyse’s facebook photo


and posted this message

This is the woman who fought to pull the SafeMinds PSA’s from the theatres. It’s her FB profile page photo. She is anti-choice and wants to tell you that mercury is safe and that Thimeosal is good – according to her blog. She trolls AofA regularly. As do all the pro-vaccine-injury bloggers.

It was a call to mock and insult Elyse. A perfect example of cyber bullying. Amongst the comments to that FaceBook page was one extreme enough that one of the Age of Autism editors noted it and promised to remove it. “While I agree that the broken thermometer comment was out of order (the blog does not condone violent speech, so that comments is going.”

It took a while for them to make good on the promise. As in many hours later, after Elyse reported the abuse to the police. That comment does appear to be gone now. Many other abusive comments (but not all) also appear to be removed.

Rather than apologize for inciting the bullying effort, SafeMinds/AgeofAutism are defending themselves by claiming that Elyse was standing in the way of choice.

Stopping Americans unable to understand? What is she St. Skepchick? She interefered with medical choice and commerce. That’s her right to make the attempt. We dis not use her name. We pulled her public photo that she used here on FB. We ran it on FB, not the main site – our readers deserved to know who was behind (at the outer level anyway) the AMC campaign to stop the ads. We provide news. This was news.

No. It wasn’t news. And, no, Elyse was not interfering with medical choice or commerce. She was quite simply providing the theaters with information–allowing them to make informed consent about the SafeMinds advertisement.

The idea of SafeMinds being pro-choice on vaccines is rather ironic. Again a story from their outlet blog, the Age of Autism makes this clear. Two years ago, a theater in New Mexico was going to show the movie “Horton Hears a Who” combined with a free vaccination clinic. At that time, they had a connection to Horton star, Jim Carrey. Instead of allowing choice, providing information, they got Jim Carrey to force the cancellation of the event:

Following a long discussion with his representatives at Fox Entertainment – Who-ville – once again through Horton – was heard. The New Mexico test market of drive thru vaccines while at the movies with your children was stopped. Halted by Horton himself because he heard “we are here, we are here, we are here!” once again.

The bullying attack on Elyse wasn’t about choice, it was just a childish attempt at some sort of petty vengeance. Unfortunately it got out of control. I thank SafeMinds and the Age of Autism for editing the comments, but even what is left is unacceptable. It’s time for apologies, not excuses.

Shower used to severly burn autistic child

7 Dec

Just when you think you’ve heard everything about the pain non autistic people visit on autistic people, along comes a new scumbag with a new ‘method’ of hurting people:

An ex-con babysitter was sentenced to 50 years in prison Monday for using a shower to severely burn an 8-year-old autistic child after she soiled herself while in his care.

Incredibly, it seems that the victims mother sides with this person:

The defendant’s mother, Vivian Acosta, held up a poster board containing photos of him and the victim playing together as she testified on his behalf Monday.

“The children, he loves them,” she said. “I know he made a small error in leaving her alone, and I beg for mercy of the court. I know he knew better, but it was an accident.”

Yeah, the children, he loves them. Thats right up there with the stupid, it burns (pun intended).

During the trial, jurors heard testimony that the shower water reached up to 157 degrees and that human instinct would cause even those with severe autism to step away from such temperatures.

The pattern of the third-degree burns are consistent with the girl being held down, DeMartino said. The girl, whose autism prevents her from speaking, has undergone multiple surgeries and has almost died as a result of the burns, he said.

I don’t know who’s worse, the scumbag who held down this little girl and purposefully scalded her or the mother who’s excusing his actions.

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