Archive for the ‘Conferences’ Category
Sunday, May 5th, 2013
Stories describing new relationships occurring within the autism epidemic appear every day. Families wonder about their significance; whether they, in some way, can better understand why their children are affected by the condition (? older fathers, overweight mothers, living near highways, premature births, anxiety, copy number variations, etc.) and the significance of new treatments appearing on the horizon as it applies to their situation.
For example, the report of a “vaccine” FOR autism attracted attention recently.
The good: The thinking goes that killing Clostridia (an especially nasty cootiegerms; including viri, bacteria, and fungi) with this anti-biofilm... any group of microorganisms in which cells stick to each other on a surface. (Wiki) product could reduce autistic behaviors in many patients. Importantly, it validates “complementary and alternative” medicine’s insistence on the gut-brain connection in autistic behaviors.
The bad: It’s only been tested in rabbits.
The ugly: “The vaccine might take more than 10 years to work through preclinical and human trials, and it may take even longer before a drug is ready for market…”
Regarding treatment, UC San Diego recently reported “Antipurinergic Therapy Corrects the Autism-Like Features in the Poly(IC) Mouse Model”.
The good: The drug, suramin, targets a cell messaging system that produces a metabolic response to stress. “According to a new theory, autism is strongly linked to this pathway… Scientists in the U.S. found that the drug corrected 17 types of abnormality linked to autism in genetically modified mice, including social behaviour problems.”
The bad: It’s only been tested in mice.
The ugly: Mice aren’t men.
At the SFARI conference this past week in Spain, research was presented that supported the environmental theories of causation.
The good: There were significant presentations reporting associations with air pollutants and insecticides. Also, the topics of proper prenatal and pre-pregnancy vitamin and mineral intake were popular offerings.
The bad: ”The new studies showed only associations and couldn’t prove causality, and each factor itself likely accounts for a small portion of the risk for autism, researchers say.”
The ugly: ”Genetics likely account for about 35% to 60% of the risk, many researchers say.” Genetics accounting for susceptibility is not that helpful until the downstream abnormality is identified.
The report of placental changes signaling an increased association with later autism got a fair bit of press this week.
The good: The test “…yielded a 92% specificity rate for predicting ASDAutism spectrum disorder risk status — and …yielded a 99.9% specificity rate. The differences between the 2 groups were amazingly, awesomely different.” The earlier the red flag, the better.
The bad: “… this test will not be able to identify all individuals who might develop autism.”
The ugly: If we don’t do anything about the red flags that we see already (“Let’s wait until he’s older…”), is this information that helpful?
Another recent article that points to early involvement was Deviance in fetal growth and risk of autism spectrum disorder in the American Journal of Psychiatry.
The good: ”… poor fetal growth was more strongly associated with ASDAutism spectrum disorder with intellectual disabilities than without. Regardless of fetal growth, preterm birth increased ASDAutism spectrum disorder risk.” I repeat, the earlier the red flag, the better.
The bad: In my many years caring for high risk premies and diabetic babies (the very small and very large), when I was Director of our Follow Up Clinic, ASDAutism spectrum disorder was not being recognized/diagnosed.
The ugly: Ditto to the last ugly.
The most important points that we can glean from such literature are:
1. More recognition of the epidemic, and therefore more research that will lead to treatments – eventually, even if it’s just avoidance of the toxic offenders.
2. Earlier recognition of red flags that a child may be at-risk, with earlier diagnosis, instead of “he’s a boy – they talk late.” Hopefully that means earlier interventions.
3. More recognition of the medical nature of the condition.
Tags: advice, ASD, asd advice, ASD advise, ASD diet, ASD etiology, autism advice, autism advise, autism cause, autism cure, Complementary and Alternative Medicine, DAN doctors, medical doctor, Pediatrician autism, pediatrician treating autism, remove toxins, vitamins and ASD
Posted in >ALL<, Autism Therapies, Conferences, Earliest Red Flags, News-Maybe-Worthy, Reversing autism, Special Therapies, Speech and Language, Vaccines | No Comments »
Sunday, March 24th, 2013
This past weekend marked the third Medical Academy of Pediatric Special Needs Conference, which was held in Costa Mesa, CA. I have made sure to attend every one. This time, I had the added challenge of traveling on my damaged and recently repaired left foot. But, thanks to the help of my beautiful and patient wife, Jackie, I managed to fly, hop, crutch and wheel across the country.
What started out as the “Defeat Autism Now!”(DAN!) movement, then morphed into the Autism Research Institute (which continues to support autism research and provide needed information and support for families and individuals with autism spectrum disorders), has finally become a full-fledged medical society “for the treatment of children with autism spectrum disorders and chronic special needs.”
These courses provide the required CMEContinuing Medical Education - formal, documented courses reviewing scientific knowledge credits to attain a MAPSMedical Academy of Pediatric Special Needs-Fellows achieve a certain level of training and participation in treating the biochemical abnormalities associated with ASDAutism spectrum disorder and other disorders. fellowship certification. This educational experience prepares practitioners from all over the world to deliver state-of-the-art care. Qualified and experienced doctors and other professionals offer detailed scientific evidence and clinical information in order to further understanding and treatment. We review older therapies, some of which may still have value, the most common protocols that the participants presently utilize, and the emerging technologies that could lead to better treatment.
The advanced courses that I attended included the following discussions:
(Day 1): Hormones & Neurodevelopmental Disorders, led by Dr. Anju Usman. Covered subjects included the CNSCentral nervous system - including the brain and spinal cord, HBOTHyperbaric Oxygen Therapy - extra O2 plus extra Pressure and treatments such as galantamine, phosphatidyl serene, propanolol, cortisol, oxytocin, secretin, the endocrine system, calcium, the adrenals, and hormones. We also learned about remedies from plants, foods and other cultures.
Evaluation & Treatment of Older Children was presented by Dr. Dan Rossignol, who gave one of his stellar presentations thoroughly reviewing the scientific literature that helps support our various treatment protocols. Case presentations with enthusiastic audience participation rounded out the afternoon.
(Day 2): Gastrointestinal & Nutrition. Dana Laake (Dietician-Nutritionist) reviewed Advanced Nutritional Assessment including labs, signs and symptoms, and special diets (all of them, I think). Dr. Elizabeth Mumper immersed us in G-IGastro-intestinal (stomach, small intestine; large bowel) testing and discussed “clinical pearls” – what practitioners should look for to help patients with symptoms due to an unhealthy gut. Dr. Rossignol reviewed the pertinent literature and more clinical cases. Dr. Jeffrey Bradstreet taught us about testing and treatment options for autistic gastrointestinal disturbances. He concluded his talk with a thorough discourse about fecal transplants. No shit.
(Day 3): Cutting Edge & Novel Treatments. There were lots of experts, lots of treatment possibilities, and lots of opinions. Need I write more?
The MAPSMedical Academy of Pediatric Special Needs-Fellows achieve a certain level of training and participation in treating the biochemical abnormalities associated with ASDAutism spectrum disorder and other disorders. conferences are no boondoggle. Classes go from 8-to-6 for three days, with formal testing at the end of those long sessions. The most important functions include networking with doctors from all over and discussing cases – just like your children – from the youngest, to the most challenging and complicated. This information adds immeasurably to our individual clinical experience.
What’s new is that your children – young and old, disruptive or spaced, apraxiacharacterized by loss of the ability to execute or carry out learned purposeful movements, despite having the desire and the physical ability to perform the movements (wiki) or echolalic, unfocused and anxious, suffering from seizures or repeated infections – are being discussed, reviewed and considered as patients who deserve appropriate medical attention.
MAPSMedical Academy of Pediatric Special Needs-Fellows achieve a certain level of training and participation in treating the biochemical abnormalities associated with ASDAutism spectrum disorder and other disorders. participation grew by a third this meeting, but that is still not enough personnel to address the burgeoning patient load. It’s a great feeling to know that each year we are getting closer to the causes and cures for this ever-increasing epidemic.
Tags: ADHD, advice, ASD, asd advice, ASD advise, ASD diet, ASD etiology, Attention deficit, autism, autism advice, autism advise, autism cause, autism puzzle, doctors curing autism, HBOT, heavy metals, hyperbaric chamber, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, Pediatrician autism, pediatrician treating autism, remove toxins, safety, Vaccine, vitamin b12, vitamins and ASD, vitamins autism
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Friday, February 8th, 2013
Just a quick note to say that I will be giving interviews later today for the Autism Channel, a site that broadcasts only on ROKU (a small set-top box) at this time. Production plans are to expand to the Internet and other venues. So, for now, you can only read about the interview at the web portal.
In a small series of interviews, I plan to describe how I make a very early diagnosis of Red Flags for autistic behaviors, how to get started with early therapies, and what to look for as children improve.
This week’s blog is called “United for Autism?”, in which I discuss the wide variety of choices for helping your child, and how professionals need to form a more united front for making the diagnosis and choosing which of the myriad of therapies to choose.
Stay tuned…
Tags: advice, ASD, ASD diet, ASD etiology, autism, autism advice, autism advise, autism cause, autism cure, autism etiology, autism treatment, casein free, CF diet, Complementary and Alternative Medicine, DAN doctors, diagnosis, doctors curing autism, medical doctor, Pediatrician autism, pediatrician treating autism
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Friday, December 28th, 2012
There were lots of reports about celebrities endorsing research, early brain scans, early blood tests for autism, various ‘genetic tests’ for autism, the flu during pregnancy influencing autism, environmental risks, some promising treatments, some treatments shown to be ineffective, associations with overweight and older moms, older dads, and the usual ups and downs of hopeful stories.
Here is my top ten list for the most important stories which have appeared in autism news this year:
10. The Medical Academy of Pediatric Special Needs provided the first scientific meetings in order to elevate and legitimize the speciality of treating children with developmental challenges.
9. More states mandated appropriate insurance coverage for autism, including Ohio, Alaska, Michigan, Alabama and Washington.
8. The new DSMDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders V criteria were approved. There continues to be a great debate over whether more or less individuals will receive services.
7. iPads, etc. apps took a major place assisting ASDAutism spectrum disorder patients. Although some controversy exists, it appears that they are more helpful than not. It is best when the device is used to help communication, rather than as a babysitter or ‘stim’-machine, where the patient watches the same video (or piece of one) over and over.
6. The advocacy organization Autism Speaks ranked Paul Shattuck’s study as one of the top 10 research advancements this year. “Postsecondary Education and Employment Among Youth With an Autism Spectrum Disorder” was published in June in the journal Pediatrics. “Higher income and higher functional ability were associated with higher adjusted odds of participation in postsecondary employment and education.” Who am I to argue with the experts?
5. ABAApplied behavior analysis... the science of controlling and predicting human behavior gained even more standing as a key treatment for autism, and was recognized with a TIME magazine award. “Children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders… showed changes in the way their brains process human faces and objects… It’s a hopeful sign that it’s possible to halt some of the brain changes linked to autism and possibly even reverse them.” In my experience, combining therapy with biomedical...a focus on medical and dietary interventions intervention is even more successful.
4. Dr. Martha Herbert published THE AUTISM REVOLUTION: Whole Body Strategies For Making Life All It Can Be. Dr. H is a great scientist and caring individual who has changed the paradigm of ASDAutism spectrum disorder, bringing reason and scientific thought about the disorder into the 21st century.
3. Are there really more ASDAutism spectrum disorder affected individuals or are we just recognizing it / diagnosing it more often? The CDC reported that the number of children with autism had increased to 1/88. The government weighed in on this one, and people started listening. Even the AAPAmerican Academy of Pediatrics admitted that autism is an epidemic.
2. Reports of an Asperger tendency in the Connecticut shooter. Thank goodness that the media actually acted responsibly, focusing on the tragedy of the victims. Sanjay Gupta did a great job of explaining the distinction between a medical disorder and psychiatric illness. Although that difference won’t be appreciated by everyone, clarity was restored.
1. And, the most important story of 2012… is the improvement and progress that your child experienced, however obvious or perceptible.
Let’s get to the causes and effective treatments and in 2013 make even greater strides in this modern epidemic.
Tags: advice, ASD, asd advice, ASD advise, ASD diet, ASD etiology, autism, autism advice, autism advise, autism cause, autism cure, autism etiology, autism puzzle, autism treatment, Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Complementary and alternative treatments, DAN doctors, doctors curing autism, medical doctor, Pediatrician autism, pediatrician treating autism
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Tuesday, October 2nd, 2012
It is exciting to report that this past weekend I attended the First-Annual-Second-Level training sessions for the newly forming Medical Academy of Pediatric Special Needs, in Orlando. I won’t describe each presentation, as I have done in previous posts, other than to report the highlights.
For more than eight hours per day, for three days, we were immersed in everything from basic science, to research, to charting, to legal issues, to diagnosis, workup and treatment. The participants are a part of a truly elite group of medical professionals who are willing to work together to help parents find the correct medical care for their special needs child.
As I listened to some of the lectures this time, I was familiar enough with the information to think about how the material applied to children in my medical practice; specifically, who might respond better to some particular medications or supplements. Then, I would consider other patients who might benefit from particular blood and/or urine testing. Occasionally, I was alerted to possible negative reactions that I hadn’t heard about or procedures that I wanted to experience. After several years of attending similar seminars, I could pick out the other doctors who had similar philosophies, and we traded clinical information.
The most talked about topics were:
1. Memantine. This is a drug used to help people with Alzheimer’s disease to think and perform daily activities more easily. There was a fair amount of clinical experience among the participants, so trying this medication in selected patients seems to be worth a try. Additionally, there is apparently a more rigorous soon-to-be-published study that will give valuable information about its use.
2. Oxytocin. It’s getting more buzz, and it appears to be safe. It’s efficacyHow well a treatment works in this condition remains to be seen, however. I heard various opinions on whether its use resulted in any real improvement, especially in eye contact and socialization.
3. The most common topics throughout the conference were inflammation, gut health, how the central nervous system is affected in ASDAutism spectrum disorder, mitochondrial dysfunction, diet and the environment.
Networking with the other members is always a key factor to our enjoyment at such seminars. Lecturers included such autism luminaries as Drs. Dan Rossignol, Martha Herbert and Arthur Krigsman. It was great to meet Sandy Haines, our executive director, who used to work for Microsoft (and you could tell by the way she has organized and tidied up this nascent organization).
Earlier, I overheard a prospective society member inquire about the rigors of joining MAPSMedical Academy of Pediatric Special Needs-Fellows achieve a certain level of training and participation in treating the biochemical abnormalities associated with ASDAutism spectrum disorder and other disorders., including whether there might be formal testing in the future. I later told Sandy that she didn’t need to waffle about her response. “The answer should be ‘hell yes,’” I said. I’m proud to have taken the time to master the basic sciences and learn from from the experience of really smart medical professionals. We should be taking this opportunity a couple of times per year to discuss these enormous problems and all possible medical solutions. I’m proud to take a test to prove my knowledge.
It helps separate me from the Internet.
Tags: ADHD, advice, ASD, asd advice, ASD advise, ASD diet, ASD etiology, autism advice, autism advise, autism cause, autism cure, autism etiology, autism puzzle, autism treatment, Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Complementary and alternative treatments, DAN doctors, diagnose autism, diagnosis, diet for autism, food allergy, GF diet, Gluten free, Hyperactivity, medical doctor, remove toxins, vitamins and ASD, vitamins autism
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Sunday, May 20th, 2012
Saturday’s Keynote Address covered the National Institute of Health’s MRI Study of Normal Brain Development. A database has been created which contains information detailing the anatomical and behavioral maturation of 500 typically developing children from 0 to 18 years. You can read about it here, and it is important to note that this now serves as a basis for many research projects.
Physiological and Behavioral Characterization of Sensory Dysfunction in Autism was a derived from a ‘Sensory Experiences Questionnaire’ and ‘Sensory Processing Measure’ in order to ascertain subtypes of ASDAutism spectrum disorder and arrive at biomarkers for treatment. Conclusions were only in the preliminary stages.
Sensory Assessments Reveal Phenotypic Heterogeneity in Autism was a study in which various stimuli were delivered to the skin of ASDAutism spectrum disorder vs. typically developing patients and then recording brain responses. Not surprisingly, perhaps, there were differences in the two groups, with a great deal more heterogeneity in the ASDAutism spectrum disorder group. This type of study of functional connectivity can reveal important differences for future treatment modalities.
Gamma-Band Activity and Coherence in Response to Familiar and Unfamiliar Faces in Infants at Risk for Autism Spectrum Disorder studied high-risk siblings vs. low-risk control infants, and concluded that by 1 year of age there was a difference in EEG lateralization (which part of the brain responds to faces) between the groups.
Auditory Evoked Potentials: Candidate Endophenotypic Indicies of ASDAutism spectrum disorder Susceptibility was a study that was able to determine autistic patients, but NOT able to identify high risk infants (unaffected sibs).
Intact Interhemispheric Transmission in Children and Adolescents Diagnosed with ASDAutism spectrum disorder demonstrated delayed electrical transmission through the corpus callosum. This was sort of an expected finding showing slower processing from one side of the brain to the other. Level of Autistic Traits Modulates Activity in Face and Action Perception Systems was a study in which EEGs were used to document facial processing latency (it takes longer for signals to get through). Sex Differences in Social Information Processing in ASDAutism spectrum disorder showed increased latency in facial recognition in males more than females.
Functional Neuroanatomical Changes Induced by Mu-Based Neurofeedback Training in Children on the Autism Spectrum was able to demonstrate improvement by utilizing this non-invasive therapeutic intervention. Although subjects were 7-17 years old with high-functioning autism, the neurofeedback centers have got to love this one.
The afternoon sessions that I attended were mostly studies of older, high-functioning ASDAutism spectrum disorder patients (vs. age-matched controls) who were given tasks to complete inside an MRI scanner and then studying the other parts of the brain that became involved in the activity – an fMRIFunctional magnetic resonance imaging is an MRI procedure that measures brain activity by detecting associated changes in blood flow. The investigators tested (and found differences) in response to human faces, sounds, voices, words, and emotions between the groups. Although this may not appear to be surprising to parents of ASDAutism spectrum disorder individuals, it is important because the research has important implications in the diagnosis and treatment of such a heterogeneous condition.
Oxytocin Receptor Gene (OXTR) Impacts Salience Network Connectivity in Children With and Without ASDAutism spectrum disorder and Oxytocin’s Impact on Social Cognitive Brain Function in Youth with ASDAutism spectrum disorder were the last presentations of the conference, but not the least important as far as offering hope for therapeutic interventions.
This series of blogs has only scratched the surface of all that has gone on this weekend. I had the opportunity to meet a Parliament Member who has a teenager with autism, many ‘big names’ in the world of research and many emerging professionals in this field. The multitude of poster sessions covered an enormous amount of new information for ASDAutism spectrum disorder research, and I am only beginning to go through that material. The ‘can-do’ spirit and sincere concern for affected patients and their families was palpable in each presentation. Real progress has been made regarding etiologyThe study of causation or origination, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment compared to the previous years’ presentations. With all of these great minds committed to research, and the investments that are being made, I couldn’t help but feel that parents should be encouraged that, more than ever, valid treatments are on the horizon.
Tags: ADHD, advice, ASD, asd advice, ASD advise, autism advice, autism advise, autism cause, autism cure, autism etiology, autism puzzle, autism treatment, Complementary and alternative treatments, doctors curing autism, medical doctor
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Saturday, May 19th, 2012
Scaramouche. OMG, what a meal. I can’t recommend it enough, if you’re in this neck of the woods. And don’t pass up the coconut cream pie for dessert.
The first presentation on Friday was a thorough discussion about the progress that has been made concerning the genetics of autism. The take home messages were 1. The number of diagnosed cases that will be attached to some discernible genetic anomalydeviation from the normal or usual order, type - an irregularity will probably increase as the human genome becomes more available and 2. It appears that the genetic mistake, mostly copy number variants (too many pieces of information) is a de novoarising as a new mutation (in genetics) alteration, not an inherited condition. That begged the question of why there are more genetic mistakes and what role the environment plays, and that engendered a spirited discussion from the audience.
Critical Clinical Needs in Classification and Prediction for Older Children, Adolescents and Adults with Autism was presented by a psychiatrist who was very familiar with the “promises and pitfalls” in classification and prediction of outcomes. She warned about misdiagnosis and unnecessary or harmful treatments, and how the media over-reacts to even minor ‘breakthroughs’ in autism research.
Analysis of Imaging Patterns Using Pattern Recognition Methods: Application to Development of Imaging-based Biomarkers for Autism was presented by a neuroradiologist who described methods to employ technology but pointed out the weaknesses when using imaging tools to make this diagnosis.
A Cognitive Neuroscience Approach to the Early Identification of Autism was a discussion about attempts to find the earliest markers (< 6 months) by utilizing electrophysiological or metabolic markers. Biology-based Candidate Intermediate Phenotypes in Autism Research: Hope of Hype? similarly described the work necessary to get answers to the autism puzzle.
The afternoon sessions that I attended were under the title, Progress, Pitfalls, and Potential of Postmortem Human Brain Research on Autism. There is a paucity of much-needed cerebral tissue from postmortem autistic brains in order to better study the anatomy and physiology of this condition. The complexity of the human brain and especially as it matures in the first year of life was detailed. The increased size of the brain seems to be more common in males with ASDAutism spectrum disorder than in females, and even then there is a great deal of variation and debate about whether there are more neurons, smaller neurons, differences in the branching of the cells and/or more inflammation in the autistic brain. The Neurochemical Profile of Autism lecture described four different ways of studying post-mortem brain tissue to discern the answers to the questions about atypical brain development. Environmental Vulnerability and Oxidative Damage in Autism was Dr. James’ presentation describing the neurobiology of autism. Finally, Gene Expression in the Central Nervous System in Autism was a discussion about how epigeneticsthe study of heritable changes in gene expression or cellular phenotype caused by mechanisms other than changes in the underlying DNA sequence affects the autistic brain and the inflammatory response that may be responsible for alterations in architecture and function.
The most well attended session so far was Dr. Sue Swedo’s explanation of the new DSMDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5.0 criteria. It felt as though all 2000 participants were in the same room! The message that she so thoroughly and eloquently delivered was that this is an attempt to get at a more precise diagnosis so that affected individuals can get the educational and medical assistance that they require based on their condition. A spirited and passionate discussion followed.
Completely frying my already baked brain were the final presentations of the day, mostly about fMRIFunctional magnetic resonance imaging is an MRI procedure that measures brain activity by detecting associated changes in blood flow studies. The first paper, Effects of Neural Cicuitry on Learning Processes in Autism, demonstrated activation and synchronization changes during learning in autism patients. Under-connectivity was implicated as the culprit in reducing learning. Relating Alterations in White Matter Circuitry to Cognitive Performance was a fascinating presentation in which the researcher tried to read an autistic person’s mind with technology. ASDAutism spectrum disorder participants appeared to be ‘removed’ from the topics in question, which was not the same connectivity as neurotypical subjects. In the next paper, Large Scale Functional Connectivity in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, the author reported network specific deficits, rather than decreases connectivity, as is usually suspected as the problem. However, the final presentation, Autism Classification using Local, Global and Connectome-Wide Measures of Functional Connectivity demonstrated weaker connectivity in ASDAutism spectrum disorder vs typically developing subjects. The conclusion was that fMRIFunctional magnetic resonance imaging is an MRI procedure that measures brain activity by detecting associated changes in blood flow at 75% correlation was not useful yet as a biological marker of autism.
On to Le Societe, located in a posh section of Toronto, for some great French cooking.
Tags: advice, ASD, asd advice, ASD advise, ASD diet, ASD etiology, autism, autism advice, autism advise, autism cause, autism cure, autism etiology, autism puzzle, autism treatment, Complementary and alternative treatments, doctors curing autism, vitamins and ASD, vitamins autism
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Thursday, May 17th, 2012
I’m here in Toronto, trying to cram in as many meetings and presentations as possible. This annual conference brings researchers from all over the world who present their papers and discuss the findings with other professionals.
This year, there were ~2000 registrants, over 150 oral presentations and hundreds of poster sessions. Since no single individual could possibly cover all of this information in real-time, the focus of this series is the medical-biomedical...a focus on medical and dietary interventions research lecture material.
On pre-conference day, two newsworthy topics were presented. The first was a study about infant head lag as the possible earliest red flag for later ASDAutism spectrum disorder diagnosis. Actually, the finding is not that specific and my previously described low tone test is simpler to interpret and more specific. Also, I don’t find this all that fascinating since that physical sign was described 80 years ago.
The other significant report was that parents don’t trust their pediatrician to treat autism and likewise, pediatricians don’t feel that they have the time or training to treat patients with the diagnosis. Ya think?
Today’s keynote address was fascinating research about the role of oxytocin in social development. Of course, the audience was eager to know how that related to the problems of socialization in ASDAutism spectrum disorder. Administering oxytocin to parents of children under the age of three resulted in raising the child’s level of that hormone! Much more work its needed but the role of this peptide looked to be a very important direction for etiologyThe study of causation or origination, diagnosis and treatment.
The other oral presentations that I found most significant today were:
Behavioral and Developmental Outcomes From Long Term Aripiprazole Treatment of Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Abilify was shown to improve many symptoms in 75% of patients, but weight gain was a major side effect.
Treatment of Behavior Problems Among School-Age Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. This study documented the effectiveness of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy.
There were 6 sessions directed at the new DSMDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders V criteria, covering effectiveness of diagnosis and considering whether more or less children will be counted as ‘autistic’. Factor analysis was interesting, although I’m not sure that I was able to come to any definitive conclusions when the new global domains are reduced to ‘social communication – interaction’ and ‘restricted interests – repetitive behaviors’. The final presenter on this topic reported a unique diagnostic tool that appears quite effective, The Autism Mental Status Exam.
Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation in Children with Autism was NOT shown to create symptomatic improvement. The dose and duration of use with this common form of ASDAutism spectrum disorder supplementation were both questioned by the audience, and the presenter agreed that such factors could have affected the results.
Sapropterin As a Treatment for Autistic Disorder: Results of a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial and An Open Label Extension was the last presentation. Although the major symptoms of autism were NOT improved in this scientific study, some of the co-morbid conditions (ADHDAttention deficit - hyperactivity disorder, aggressiveness, self-injurious behaviors, irritability, anxiety, sleep G-IGastro-intestinal (stomach, small intestine; large bowel)) did seem to improve in a portion of the patients. Research will continue on this possibly important enzymatic cofactor.
Now, I’m off to enjoy this Canadian city’s nightlife.
Tags: advice, ASD, asd advice, ASD advise, ASD diet, ASD etiology, autism advice, autism advise, autism cause, autism cure, autism etiology, autism puzzle, autism treatment, diagnosis, doctors curing autism
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