Autism. ASD. As soon as you hear the words, there’s a hushed response. Or a huge outcry. First, the outbreak was claimed to be the result of inoculations. WRONG! Now, it seems that the penchant in America to ‘wait to have kids’ is taking its toll. Because the older the father, the more likely the child can be born with diseases such as autism and schizophrenia.
Continue reading A diagnostic for Autism…
So, here’s some research that is clearly aimed at getting our attention. Which I am giving it. But, please- read my entire blog before you go off (perhaps half-cocked) spouting some revelation that (in my opinion) is not really there.
Continue reading Attention. Attention. Attention!
There are so many ailments that are the result of neural miscommunications. Where the brain and the rest of the nervous system fail to send and receive messages properly. Which is why so many researchers are searching for the holy grail: the brain-computer interface that will overcome such deficiencies. And, while that holy grail has not yet been found- we now believe it does exist. A switch- one that transcends electronics and biology.
Continue reading A biocompatible transistor?
Autism was first described by Dr. Leo Kanner (Johns Hopkins) in 1943, with an analysis of 11 children with communication disorders. By 1952, autism was diagnosed by ‘early onset schizophrenia’, only to be renamed ‘infantile autism’ in 1980 and ‘autism disorder’ in 1987. Now, we use ASD (autism spectrum disorder) to cover autistic disorder, Asperger’s syndrome, and other related diseases. As these classifications changed, the number of children diagnosed with the disorder has grown to reach the currently accepted value of 1 in 110 children.
Continue reading Autism…where do we stand?
I am not sure if I am sad or happy. A research project- one devoted to improving the lives of autistic children- is going ‘mainstream’. The project- My Keepon. Basically, two bright yellow tennis balls stacked upon each other- with a black button nose and round-beaded-eyes. The name comes from the Japanese word for yellow (kiiroi), and the onomatopoeic sound (pon) it makes when it bounces or bobs.
Continue reading From autistic therapy to Toys “R” Us…
That truism that siblings of autistic kids likely to suffer from the disease? Consider it fact. (Previous studies provided data within a fairly wide range of 3 to 14%.) This according to a new study that will be published in Pediatrics (no longer in print), shortly.
Continue reading A different kind of big brother issue…
Researchers at UC Davis published a survey in Epidemiology purportedly reporting on the effect of prenatal vitamins and their ability to preclude births of children with autism. Drs. Schmidt (2), Hansen, Hartiala, Allayee, Hooman, Tancredi, Tassone, and Hertz-Picciotto (UC Davis) reported that women who took prenatal vitamins BEFORE pregnancy (and during pregnancy) were ½ as likely to have a child with autism; those that had high risk mutations were associated with a 7 fold reduction.
Continue reading Autism, Vitamins, Gene Expression… Link?
Dr. Zoran Josipovic, a research neuroscientist and adjunct professor at New York University, has been examining the rearranging of brains for about 3 years now. What is more unusual about the study is that his study subjects are Buddhist nuns and monks. 
Continue reading How our brain works…and meditation shows the way
I hate fake science. No, I am not talking about “political science” or the like- but reports that purport to employ scientific principles or methods that are just plain fake. For years, I have been dealing with patients, parents, and individuals who claim that childhood immunizations create havoc in children- especially when they assert it leads to the autism rates that seem to be exploding among our youth. As recently as a month ago, a series of fraudulent reports were spreading like wildfire on Facebook.
Continue reading Immunizations are SAFE. Reports to the contrary are FAKE.
Continue reading Stem Cell Research Yields Cell Model for Autism