Autism's Cause, It's Parents vs. Research (NYT)

[Up2Late]

On Autism's Cause, It's Parents vs. Research

By GARDINER HARRIS and ANAHAD O'CONNOR
Published: June 25, 2005

Kristen Ehresmann, a Minnesota Department of Health official, had just told a State Senate hearing that vaccines with microscopic amounts of mercury were safe. Libby Rupp, a mother of a 3-year-old girl with autism, was incredulous.

"How did my daughter get so much mercury in her?" Ms. Rupp asked Ms. Ehresmann after her testimony.

"Fish?" Ms. Ehresmann suggested.

"She never eats it," Ms. Rupp answered.

"Do you drink tap water?"

"It's all filtered."

"Well, do you breathe the air?" Ms. Ehresmann asked, with a resigned smile. Several parents looked angrily at Ms. Ehresmann, who left. Ms. Rupp remained, shaking with anger. That anyone could defend mercury in vaccines, she said, "makes my blood boil."

Public health officials like Ms. Ehresmann, who herself has a son with autism, have been trying for years to convince parents like Ms. Rupp that there is no link between thimerosal - a mercury-containing preservative once used routinely in vaccines - and autism. They have failed.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, the Institute of Medicine, the World Health Organization and the American Academy of Pediatrics have all largely dismissed the notion that thimerosal causes or contributes to autism. Five major studies have found no link.

<http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/25/science/25autism.html?ex=1277352000&en=dc5e85b98c6de1a6&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss>
(more at link above)

[Ilsa]

1. I'm still looking. A mercury test is coming up.

I feel almost resigned to causes of autism. I wish we had better treatments aside from behavioral therapy and special education.

But I haven't given up yet. Occasioanlly, I have a dream about my son being cured. It's the only time I feel really good again.

[Lilyhoney]

6. The SF Gate had a great article

recently. This mother was showing how her child was cured of autism by chelation therapy. It is a medicine that is injected into th body and the heavy metals such as mercury bind to this agent and leaves the body thru the urine. The therapy has cured thousands of children.

[Ilsa]

12. Thanks. I'm proceeding with my reading and research. There

are also slower ways of accomplishing chelation. One is direct consumption of a nutritional chemical with the specific agent, the other is consumption of the nutritional chemical which helps the body produce it more on its own.

[firefox]

7. Something to check out

This is the autism forum at CureZone.com- http://curezone.com/forums/f.asp?f=54&t=62681

The latest entry is from Owen, a curezone regular, on a relationship between medicine for ear infections and autism- http://curezone.com/forums/m.asp?f=54&i=415

Read Message3 in this DU link for the place in Chapel Hill that test for mercury for $25- http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=3716209#3716453

[Ilsa]

11. Thanks. I'm proceeding with my reading and research and these

links help.

[havocmom]

2. The powers that be sure worked hard to get MSM to NOT show the info

young Mr. Kennedy put together on the matter. Wonder what they are afraid of. :shrug: I know what industries they are protecting.

[salvorhardin]

4. And to add to Warpy's list

Respectful Insolence neatly blows away Kennedy's article for Salon and Rolling Stone.
http://oracknows.blogspot.com/2005/06/saloncom-flushes-its-credibility-down.html

[Warpy]

3. This is SUCH a red herring issue.

The spike in autism cases didn't occur for nearly six decades after thimerosol was introduced.

Autism continues to increase since thimerosol has been withdrawn as a preservative in all but flu vaccine.

The numbers just don't add up.

However, people are passionate about the windmills they tilt at. If you're one of them, then by all means don't read the scientific data.

http://www.srmhp.org/0101/autism.html

http://pn.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/39/13/44

http://www.neurodiversity.com/etiology.html

Those are three of the more readable articles with the least amount of jargon.

Autism is a devastating birth defect. Looking for the cause in all the wrong places does no one any good.

[rodeodance]

5. trying to find a cause is an emotional up and down roller coster for them.

[whistle]

9. Red herring or smoked herring......

<snip>
Table A:

Summary Comparison of Characteristics

of Autism & Mercury Poisoning

Mercury Poisoning
Autism

Psychiatric Social deficits, shyness, social withdrawal Social deficits, social withdrawal, shyness
Disturbances Depression, mood swings; mask face Depressive traits, mood swings; flat affect
Anxiety Anxiety
Schizoid tendencies, OCD traits Schizophrenic & OCD traits; repetitiveness
Lacks eye contact, hesitant to engage others Lack of eye contact, avoids conversation
Irrational fears Irrational fears
Irritability, aggression, temper tantrums Irritability, aggression, temper tantrums
Impaired face recognition Impaired face recognition
Speech, Loss of speech, failure to develop speech Delayed language, failure to develop speech
Language & Dysarthria; articulation problems Dysarthria; articulation problems
Hearing Speech comprehension deficits Speech comprehension deficits
Deficits Verbalizing & word retrieval problems Echolalia; word use & pragmatic errors
Sound sensitivity Sound sensitivity
Hearing loss; deafness in very high doses Mild to profound hearing loss
Poor performance on language IQ tests Poor performance on verbal IQ tests
Sensory Abnormal sensation in mouth & extremities Abnormal sensation in mouth & extremities
Abnormalities Sound sensitivity Sound sensitivity
Abnormal touch sensations; touch aversion Abnormal touch sensations; touch aversion
Vestibular abnormalities Vestibular abnormalities
Motor Disorders Involuntary jerking movements – arm flapping, ankle jerks, myoclonal jerks, choreiform movements, circling, rocking Stereotyped movements - arm flapping, jumping, circling, spinning, rocking; myoclonal jerks; choreiform movements
Deficits in eye-hand coordination; limb apraxia; intention tremors Poor eye-hand coordination; limb apraxia; problems with intentional movements
Gait impairment; ataxia – from incoordination & clumsiness to inability to walk, stand, or sit; loss of motor control Abnormal gait and posture, clumsiness and incoordination; difficulties sitting, lying, crawling, and walking
Difficulty in chewing or swallowing Difficulty chewing or swallowing
Unusual postures; toe walking Unusual postures; toe walking
Cognitive Impairments Borderline intelligence, mental retardation - some cases reversible Borderline intelligence, mental retardation - sometimes "recovered"
Poor concentration, attention, response inhibition Poor concentration, attention, shifting attention
Uneven performance on IQ subtests Uneven performance on IQ subtests
Verbal IQ higher than performance IQ Verbal IQ higher than performance IQ
Poor short term, verbal, & auditory memory Poor short term, auditory & verbal memory
Poor visual and perceptual motor skills, impairment in simple reaction time Poor visual and perceptual motor skills, lower performance on timed tests
Difficulty carrying out complex commands Difficulty carrying out multiple commands
Word-comprehension difficulties Word-comprehension difficulties
Deficits in understanding abstract ideas & symbolism; degeneration of higher mental powers Deficits in abstract thinking & symbolism, understanding other’s mental states, sequencing, planning & organizing

(iv)


Unusual
Stereotyped sniffing (rats) Stereotyped, repetitive behaviors
Behaviors ADHD traits ADHD traits
Agitation, unprovoked crying, grimacing, staring spells Agitation, unprovoked crying, grimacing, staring spells
Sleep difficulties Sleep difficulties
Eating disorders, feeding problems Eating disorders, feeding problems
Self injurious behavior, e.g. head banging Self injurious behavior, e.g. head banging
Visual Poor eye contact, impaired visual fixation Poor eye contact, problems in joint attention
Impairments "Visual impairments," blindness, near-sightedness, decreased visual acuity "Visual impairments"; inaccurate/slow saccades; decreased rod functioning
Light sensitivity, photophobia Over-sensitivity to light
Blurred or hazy vision Blurred vision
Constricted visual fields Not described
Physical Disturbances Increase in cerebral palsy; hyper- or hypo-tonia; abnormal reflexes; decreased muscle strength, especially upper body; incontinence; problems chewing, swallowing, salivating Increase in cerebral palsy; hyper- or hypotonia; decreased muscle strength, especially upper body; incontinence; problems chewing and swallowing
Rashes, dermatitis/dry skin, itching; burning Rashes, dermatitis, eczema, itching
Autonomic disturbance: excessive sweating, poor circulation, elevated heart rate Autonomic disturbance: unusual sweating, poor circulation, elevated heart rate
Gastro-intestinal Gastroenteritis, diarrhea; abdominal pain, constipation, "colitis" Diarrhea, constipation, gaseousness, abdominal discomfort, colitis
Disturbances Anorexia, weight loss, nausea, poor appetite Anorexia; feeding problems/vomiting
Lesions of ileum & colon; increased gut permeability Leaky gut syndrome
Inhibits dipeptidyl peptidase IV, which cleaves casomorphin Inadequate endopeptidase enzymes needed for breakdown of casein & gluten
Abnormal Biochemistry Binds -SH groups; blocks sulfate transporter in intestines, kidneys Low sulfate levels
Has special affinity for purines & pyrimidines Purine & pyrimidine metabolism errors lead to autistic features
Reduces availability of glutathione, needed in neurons, cells & liver to detoxify heavy metals Low levels of glutathione; decreased ability of liver to detoxify heavy metals
Causes significant reduction in glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase Abnormal glutathione peroxidase activities in erythrocytes
Disrupts mitochondrial activities, especially in brain Mitochondrial dysfunction, especially in brain
Immune Dysfunction Sensitivity due to allergic or autoimmune reactions; sensitive individuals more likely to have allergies, asthma, autoimmune-like symptoms, especially rheumatoid-like ones More likely to have allergies and asthma; familial presence of autoimmune diseases, especially rheumatoid arthritis; IgA deficiencies
Can produce an immune response in CNS On-going immune response in CNS
Causes brain/MBP autoantibodies Brain/MBP autoantibodies present
Causes overproduction of Th2 subset; kills/inhibits lymphocytes, T-cells, and monocytes; decreases NK T-cell activity; induces or suppresses IFNg & IL-2 Skewed immune-cell subset in the Th2 direction; decreased responses to T-cell mitogens; reduced NK T-cell function; increased IFNg & IL-12

(v)

CNS Structural Pathology Selectively targets brain areas unable to detoxify or reduce Hg-induced oxidative stress Specific areas of brain pathology; many functions spared
Damage to Purkinje and granular cells Damage to Purkinje and granular cells
Accummulates in amygdala and hippocampus Pathology in amygdala and hippocampus
Causes abnormal neuronal cytoarchitecture; disrupts neuronal migration & cell division; reduces NCAMs Neuronal disorganization; increased neuronal cell replication, increased glial cells; depressed expression of NCAMs
Progressive microcephaly Progressive microcephaly and macrocephaly
Brain stem defects in some cases Brain stem defects in some cases

Abnormalities in Neuro-chemistry Prevents presynaptic serotonin release & inhibits serotonin transport; causes calcium disruptions Decreased serotonin synthesis in children; abnormal calcium metabolism
Alters dopamine systems; peroxidine deficiency in rats resembles mercurialism in humans Possibly high or low dopamine levels; positive response to peroxidine (lowers dopamine levels)
Elevates epinephrine & norepinephrine levels by blocking enzyme that degrades epinephrine Elevated norepinephrine and epinephrine
Elevates glutamate Elevated glutamate and aspartate
Leads to cortical acetylcholine deficiency; increases muscarinic receptor density in hippocampus & cerebellum Cortical acetylcholine deficiency; reduced muscarinic receptor binding in hippocampus
Causes demyelinating neuropathy Demyelination in brain
EEG Causes abnormal EEGs, epileptiform activity Abnormal EEGs, epileptiform activity
Abnormalities/ Causes seizures, convulsions Seizures; epilepsy
Epilepsy Causes subtle, low amplitude seizure activity Subtle, low amplitude seizure activities
Population Effects more males than females Male:female ratio estimated at 4:1
Charact-eristics At low doses, only affects those geneticially susceptible High heritability - concordance for MZ twins is 90%
First added to childhood vaccines in 1930s First "discovered" among children born in 1930s
Exposure levels steadily increased since 1930s with rate of vaccination, number of vaccines Prevalence of autism has steadily increased from 1 in 2000 (pre1970) to 1 in 500 (early 1990s), higher in 2000.
Exposure occurs at 0 - 15 months; clinical silent stage means symptom emergence delayed; symptoms emerge gradually, starting with movement & sensation Symptoms emerge from 4 months to 2 years old; symptoms emerge gradually, starting with movement & sensation

(vi)

<more>
<link> http://www.altcorp.com/DentalInformation/autismhg.htm

[Up2Late]

10. All I know is, re: the Autism causes, is that it effect many here at DU...

...and that if I posted this in LBN it would have been locked or moved here to Science, so I posted it here.

I'm with you, I'm not sure what to make of this new "Mercury in Vaccines" theory, but I think this would be a good place for logical debate, but keep in mind what I said originally, this issue (Autism) affects a lot of the D.U. members who's families are impacted by it. So let's all try to keep it civil for their sake.

Personally, I think has more to do with Industrial Pollution of the Air and Water supply. California is heavily effected by Autism, and not coincidentally, also by increasing Air pollution and dwindling Water supplies.

My theory on the Water supply connection has to do with the aging California Water Reservoirs. As they age, they accumulate Silt, which I would be willing to bet contains heavy concentrations of industrial contaminates. Plus we all know about the problem with Washington D.C. aging water delivery pipes (leaching lead).

[whistle]

8. The debate really needs to end and action must begin...

...to stop exposing infants to mercury:

<snip>
Autism and Mercury

by Tim O'Shea,DC

This article is excerpted from Dr. O'Shea's revised edition of The Sanctity of Human Blood.

Inquiry into vaccine safety is exploding like never before, even in the popular press. Research coming from dozens of mainstream medical studies can no longer be easily suppressed, as it has been in the past, especially with the prevalence of online information exchange.

Last September, some 2,000 people, mostly MDs, assembled at the Town and Country resort in San Diego to hear the latest research on autism. Following the April 2000 Congressional hearings on autism and vaccines, this epidemic can no longer be ignored.

The figure of one autistic infant for every 150 is now widely documented.

Dr. Stephanie Cave presented enlightening data on mercury toxicity, drawn largely from the brilliant work of Sallie Bernard. Dr. Cave explained how:

By age two, American children have received 237 micrograms of mercury through vaccines alone, which far exceeds current EPA "safe" levels of .1 mcg/kg. per day. That's one-tenth of a microgram, not one microgram.

Three days in particular may be singled out as spectacularly toxic for infants:

Day of birth: hepatitis B-12 mcg mercury

30 x safe level

At 4 months: DTaP and HiB on same day - 50 mcg mercury

60 x safe level

At 6 months: Hep B, Polio - 62.5 mcg mercury


78 x safe level

At 15 months the child receives another 50 mcg

41 x safe level

These figures are calculated for an infant's average weight in kilograms for each age.

These one-day blasts of mercury are called "bolus doses". Although they far exceed "safe" levels, there has never been any research conducted on the toxicity of such bolus doses of mercury given to infants all these years.

Inconceivable

Historically, the toxicity of mercury has been known for more than a century. The Mad Hatter was more than a fantasy character from Alice in Wonderland. Mad Hatter's disease became well known in England in the mid-1800s, when hat-makers were subject to inhaling the vapors from the mercury-based stiffening compound they used on felt to make top hats.

Sources of Mercury

It is interesting to learn that common household remedies that were used up into the 1960s like mercurochrome and "teething powder" were often the cause of acute mercury poisoning and disease.

In the U.S., EPA mercury toxicity studies have involved contamination from fish, air, and other environmental sources.

Methylmercury has long been associated with serious neurological disorders, demyelinating diseases, gut disease, and visual damage.

The mercury in vaccines, however, is in the form of thimerosal, which is 50 times more toxic than plain old mercury.

Reasons for this include:


Injected mercury is far more toxic than ingested mercury.

There's no blood-brain barrier in infants.
Mercury accumulates in brain cells and nerves.

Infants don't produce bile, which is necessary to excrete mercury.
<more>
<link> http://www.mercola.com/2001/feb/24/autism_mercury.htm

[Igel]

14. I look at your numbers,

I look at the numbers at

http://www.fda.gov/cber/vaccine/thimerosal.htm#t1,

and I have wonder who's not quite grounded in reality.

[Celebration]

13. Leaky Gut

The increase in autism, type 1 diabetes, and other immune disorders probably has its roots in many different things--many different things can trigger leaky gut syndrome. It may not show up in a study as being caused by one thing or another because a. there are so many things in our society that can cause leaky gut syndrome, and b. in some children it may have a combination of causes-- be thinking-- antibiotic use, Caesarian sections, production of antibodies from *any* vaccine, the *hygiene* theory (we are too clean and immune systems don't develop), perhaps mercury and other heavy metals in air or vaccines.

As an aside, can someone PLEASE tell me why it is necesary to inoculate a newborn for hepatitis?

http://osiris.sunderland.ac.uk/autism/gut.htm

Products of the human gut microflora in relation to autism and its symptoms appear to have been largely ignored in the past. However they appear to be relevant certainly in terms of yeast and clostridia species. Abnormal bacterial metabolites of tyrosine appear to be elevated in autism and this seems related largely to an overgrowth in clostridia species. Treatments to control this have resulted in significant clinical improvement or complete remission of symptoms in some cases. The issue of whether probiotic and prebiotic treatments are relevant, needs to be researched. Elevation of yeast metabolites such as tartaric acid and arabinose appears to be even more common in autism. The arabinose appears to be involved in abnormal protein binding which may adversely affect neuron connection and this may have relevance to the appearance of autistic symptoms. Given the intolerance autistic children appear to have to gluten and casein, an involvement of arabinose may be important. However, the exact biochemical role of arabinose remains unclear. Tartaric acid from the yeast overgrowth may have a direct toxic effect on the muscles and is a key inhibitor of the Krebs Cycle that supplies raw materials for gluconeogenesis. The implications of this appears to be detrimental to autistic function.

While it is clear that abnormal metabolites from the human gut flora may contribute to autistic symptoms, it is certain that many other systems and pathways are involved. It is possible that many are functioning simultaneously but at varying levels between individuals. This may give rise to the differences in symptoms exhibited by sufferers. This may also explain the similarity of autism and other chronic behavioural disorders such as Asperger Syndrome, PDD, ADHD, ADD and Rett syndrome. While other pathways may exist, research into the role of human gut flora and the full identification of species involved may allow for more directed treatments. While it will not cure the disorder, modifications of gut flora function might improve symptoms significantly.

http://www.afpafitness.com/articles/LEAKGUT4.HTM

Physicians are increasingly recognizing the importance of the gastrointestinal tract in the development of allergic or autoimmune disease. Understanding the leaky gut phenomenon not only helps us see why allergies and autoimmune diseases develop but also helps us with safe and effective therapies to bring the body back into balance.

Due to the enlarged spaces between the cells of the gut wall, larger than usual protein molecules are absorbed before they have a chance to be completely broken down as occurs when the intestinal lining is intact. The immune system starts making antibodies against these larger molecules because it recognizes them as foreign, invading substances. The immune system starts treating them as if they had to be destroyed. Antibodies are made against these proteins derived from previously harmless foods.

Human tissues have antigenic sites very similar to those on foods, bacteria, parasites, candida or fungi. The antibodies created by the leaky gut phenomenon against these antigens can get into various tissues and trigger an inflammatory reaction when the corresponding food is consumed or the microbe is encountered. Autoantibodies are thus created and inflammation becomes chronic.

Are children getting enough sunshine? (sans Sunscreen)

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-05-21-doctors-sunshine-good_x.htm

The vitamin is D, nicknamed the "sunshine vitamin" because the skin makes it from ultraviolet rays. Sunscreen blocks its production, but dermatologists and health agencies have long preached that such lotions are needed to prevent skin cancer.

Now some scientists are questioning that advice.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15883446&query_hl=5

Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy: a risk factor not only for fetal growth and bone metabolism but also for correct development of the fetal immune system?

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15585793&query_hl=9

Vitamin D is an important immune system regulator. The active form of vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 <1,25(OH)2D3>, has been shown to inhibit the development of autoimmune diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

I sure don't have all the answers. But there are a *lot* of issues that aren't getting enough attention.

[Igel]

15. I read that quote, and marvelled at how shamefacedly the NYT

was allowing the public to be manipulated, or manipulated the public.

*Did* Ms. Rupp's child have high concentrations of mercury in her body? Did she assert that the kid did? No; she asked a "Do you still beat your wife?" kind of question. The reporter should have given the evidence for Rupp's presupposition.

It's even unclear if the level of mercury in the vaccines, let's say 4 years ago, would have been sufficient to account for the amount of mercury in the kid's body, whatever it was. But again, her question, and the responses to it, don't make that particular question very easy to get at for the casual reader.