In an effort to uncover the cause of autism, researchers at
the University of California-Davis Mind Institute never gave up contention that
many cases are the result of an immune disorder. They released their findings in July 2013 via
the Brain &
Behavior Research Foundation and in Translational
Psychiatry" stating approximately 25 percent of autism cases may be linked
to specific maternal antibodies that cross the placenta during pregnancy,
attacking fetal protein brain development with 99 percent predictability. Researchers identified seven target protein
or antigen sites that the mother's auto-antibodies bind. They include cypin, lactase dehydrogenase A
& B, STIP1, CRMP1, CRMP2, and Y-box-binding protein. The effect of the mother's auto-antibodies
and these antigen sites may create a biomarker of cellular death. Cypin, for example, is one protein that is
important in linking neuron cells in the hippocampus, the learning and memory
center of the brain, to connect with other neuron cells.
Furthermore, the research group revealed that auto-antibodies
injected into eight pregnant female rhesus monkeys created autism like symptoms
within the first two years of the young monkey's lives. Although this is encouraging research which
explains the cause of a significant number of autism cases, further testing is
needed prior to developing a human diagnostic test in females to identify the
autism inducing auto-antibodies. The
lead researcher in this study holds the auto-antibody patent and is a
consultant for Pediatric Bioscience, the company that licensed the technology
for development of a diagnostic test within 18 months to detect auto-antibodies
in females. This research also encourages
development of new therapies to block specific auto-antibody targets which may
lower the incidence of autism at birth due to maternal auto-antibodies at the
time of conception.
Recent studies indicate
approximately 30 percent of all autism cases have a co-occurrence of ADHD
symptoms, this new research should also explain ADHD causation. As a pharmacist with over 25 years
specializing in ADHD stimulant and psychiatric medications, there is a
pharmacological link between Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD. Drug therapy used to alleviate, not cure,
autism and ADHD symptoms in many cases are similar. The research findings from the University of
California-Davis Mind Institute is groundbreaking, however the important
question is" why are pregnant women producing antibodies that turn rogue and
attack fetal proteins critical in neuronal development? Is there an environmental, nutritional or neurophysiological
explanation that is genetically encoding a mother's immunity to become toxic to
her unborn child? Why is autism and ADHD
a mysterious epidemic only in America?
Eliminating nutritional and environmental risk factors are
critical when considering pregnancy. An expecting
mother requires a whole foods diet free from toxins. Toxins are more abundant in today's food
supply, including Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) crops which proliferate
the American landscape. GMO crops
contain bacterial genes which allow survival after herbicide spraying. The bacterial genes also produce Bacillus
thuringiensis (Bt), an insect poison. If
GMO insect poisons, along with other environmental toxins accumulate in the
expectant mother's blood, then an auto-immune response by the fetus may explain
why pregnant women develop harmful auto-antibodies causing autism. Until further research validates GMO foods
safe for human consumption, expectant mothers should refrain from GMO
foods. The Institute for Responsible
Technology recommends foods from the Non-GMO Shopping Guide. Additionally, the Coalition Against
Overmedicating Our Youth (CAOOY) recommends enzymatic nutritional
supplementation which can be found at CAOOY.org to support
a healthy body and focused mind.
