Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Prenatal use of SSRIs may raise risks for autism, developmental delays

From DailyRx.com (4/13):

Prenatal use of SSRIs may raise risks for autism, developmental delays


Boys born to mothers who took selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors during pregnancy had nearly threefold increased odds of developing autism spectrum disorder than those unexposed to SSRIs while in the womb, a study showed. Prenatal exposure to the antidepressants was also associated with a higher risk of developmental delays. The findings appear in the journal Pediatrics.

http://www.dailyrx.com/antidepressants-during-pregnancy-and-autism-may-be-linked-so-may-mood-disorders

Article: "Measles-mumps-rubella vaccination timing and autism among young african american boys: a reanalysis of CDC data"

Article from Translational Neurodegeneration by Brian S Hooker:

"Measles-mumps-rubella vaccination timing and autism among young african american boys: a reanalysis of CDC data"

http://www.translationalneurodegeneration.com/content/pdf/2047-9158-3-16.pdf

Mediterranean-style diet in children may curb obesity risk

From HealthDay News (5/28):

Mediterranean-style diet in children may curb obesity risk

Following a diet rich in fish, grains, nuts, fruits and vegetables, also known as the Mediterranean diet, was linked to a 15% reduced risk of being overweight or obese among children, Swedish researchers found. The findings, based on more than 9,000 children across eight countries, were presented at the European Congress on Obesity.

Also, adding omegas helps.

Full article:

http://consumer.healthday.com/vitamins-and-nutrition-information-27/food-and-nutrition-news-316/mediterranean-diet-keeps-kids-slimmer-study-finds-688215.html

Paper about widely touted but unapproved “cure” for cancer, autism retracted

Paper about widely touted but unapproved “cure” for cancer, autism retracted

http://retractionwatch.com/2014/07/25/paper-about-widely-touted-but-unapproved-cure-for-cancer-autism-retracted/

Exercise and the ‘Good’ Bugs in Our Gut

Exercise and the ‘Good’ Bugs in Our Gut
By GRETCHEN REYNOLDS

excerpts:

Being physically active may encourage beneficial germs to thrive in your gut, while inactivity could do the reverse, according to an innovative new study. The findings suggest that, in addition to its other health benefits, frequent exercise may influence our weight and overall health by altering the kinds of organisms that live inside of us.

In recent years, there has been an explosion of interest in the role that gut microbes play in whole-body health. A multitude of studies have shown that people with large and diverse germ populations in their digestive tracts tend to be less prone to obesity, immune problems and other health disorders than people with low microbial diversity, and that certain germs, in particular, may contribute to improved metabolic and immune health.

But little science had examined the interplay between physical activity and gut bugs in people. So, for a study published this month in Gut, researchers at University College Cork, part of the National University of Ireland, and other institutions, set out to learn more by turning to a group of people who exercise a lot: the national rugby team of Ireland...

For the sake of comparison, the researchers also recruited two groups of healthy adult men, none of them athletes. One group consisted of men with a normal body mass index. Most of the men in this group exercised occasionally but lightly.

The men in the final group were generally sedentary and had a body mass index that would qualify them as overweight or obese. This group was included, Dr. Shanahan said, because the rugby players, although supremely fit, were physically huge, with body masses well above normal. The researchers wanted to compare their gut microbes to those of men whose weight was similar, if not their musculature....

As it turned out, the internal world of the athletes was quite different from that of the men in either of the control groups. The rugby players had considerably more diversity in the make-up of their gut microbiomes, meaning that their intestinal tracts hosted a greater variety of germs than did those of the other men, especially the men in the group with the highest B.M.I.

The rugby players’ guts also harbored larger numbers of a particular bacterium, uneuphoniously named Akkermansiaceae, that has been linked in past studies with a decreased risk for obesity and systemic inflammation.

Interestingly, the rugby players’ blood showed low levels of markers for inflammation, even though the men were exercising intensely. Their muscles were being pummeled but, in physiological terms, recovering well....


http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/06/18/exercise-and-the-good-bugs-in-our-gut/

PANS: Sudden OCD or Restrictive Eating Disorder Onset Following an Infection

From Bipolar Network News (5/14):

PANS: Sudden OCD or Restrictive Eating Disorder Onset Following an Infection

At the 2014 meeting of the International Society for Bipolar Disorder, researcher Kiki Chang discussed Pediatric Acute Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndromes (PANS), a newly identified phenomenon in which children suddenly develop obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and/or a restrictive eating disorder following an infection or other process that stimulates an immune/inflammatory reaction in the brain. A similar phenomenon, Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS), was initially identified by Susan Swedo of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and refers to children (usually under 6–10 years old) who develop OCD and/or tics following a case of strep throat or scarlet fever....

Full article: http://bipolarnews.org/?p=2602

Experts challenge CDC data showing spike in autism cases

From Disability Scoop (7/7):

Experts challenge CDC data showing spike in autism cases

The CDC's estimate that as many as 1 in 68 8-year-olds in the U.S. has autism is based on medical and education records alone, according to an editorial published in the journal Autism. Without conducting direct assessments on a single child, "we will not know the extent to which the CDC-determined 'cases' include false positives, or the extent to which children who it was determined do not have autism are really false negatives," the authors said. Wide variances in rates from state to state should also indicate issues with the data, the authors said.

http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2014/07/07/validity-cdc-autism-rates/19485/

TV portrays unhealthy foods in a positive light

From MedicalNewsToday (U.K.) (7/4):

TV portrays unhealthy foods in a positive light

A study in the Archives of Disease in Childhood says 32.6% of unhealthy food cues shown in children-oriented television programs were presented in a positive light, while only 19.8% were portrayed in a negative light. Researchers also found that sweets and other unhealthy foods accounted for 47.5% of all food-specific placements, while sugar-laden drinks made up 25% of all placements for beverages.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/279128.php

PCV13 vaccine may leave some children vulnerable to pneumococcal disease

From DailyRx.com (7/6):

PCV13 vaccine may leave some children vulnerable to pneumococcal disease

Slightly more children were hospitalized with invasive pneumococcal disease after the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine was introduced, according to a study in the journal Pediatrics that analyzed data from Massachusetts public health records. Children with underlying health problems were more likely to be hospitalized than other children.

http://www.dailyrx.com/invasive-pneumococcal-disease-children-not-always-covered-current-vaccine

Pesticide exposure during pregnancy linked to higher autism risk

From HealthDay News (6/23):

Pesticide exposure during pregnancy linked to higher autism risk


Women who lived near spaces treated with commercial pesticides during their last trimester of pregnancy had a greater likelihood of having a child with autism, according to a study in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives.

http://consumer.healthday.com/cognitive-health-information-26/autism-news-51/pesticide-exposure-in-pregnancy-linked-to-autism-risk-in-kids-689083.html

Parents Who Promote Less Rigid Lifestyles for Children Prove More Effective

From Science World Report (6/18):

Less-structured schedule may improve children's executive function
Research in the journal Frontiers in Psychology found that children who were allowed to play, read and do other less-structured activities had better self-directed executive functioning than those with a more structured schedule.

http://www.scienceworldreport.com/articles/15514/20140618/parents-who-promote-less-rigid-lifestyles-children-prove-more-effective.htm

Study links children's obesity to pregnant mom's excess weight, smoking

From Reuters (6/18):

Study links children's obesity to pregnant mom's excess weight, smoking

Children were more likely to be obese until their teen years if their mother smoked while pregnant or was overweight early in pregnancy, according to a study in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. Children who fell into the early-persistent-obesity trajectory had a double the odds of asthma and high blood pressure levels than did the normal-weight-trajectory group.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/06/18/us-obesity-trajectory-idUSKBN0ET2T420140618

Study links children's obesity to pregnant mom's excess weight, smoking

From Reuters (6/18):

Study links children's obesity to pregnant mom's excess weight, smoking

Children were more likely to be obese until their teen years if their mother smoked while pregnant or was overweight early in pregnancy, according to a study in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. Children who fell into the early-persistent-obesity trajectory had a double the odds of asthma and high blood pressure levels than did the normal-weight-trajectory group.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/06/18/us-obesity-trajectory-idUSKBN0ET2T420140618

Combination of N-acetylcysteine and Risperidone Improves Irritability in Autistic Disorders More Than Placebo and Risperidone

From Bipolar Network News (2/28/14):

Combination of N-acetylcysteine and Risperidone Improves Irritability in Autistic Disorders More Than Placebo and Risperidone

In a 2013 study of 40 children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders published by Ahmad Ghanizadeh and Ebrahim Moghimi-Sarani in the journal BMC Psychiatry, the combination of the over-the-counter nutritional supplement n-acetylcysteine (NAC) and the atypical antipsychotic risperidone alleviated irritability more than the combination of placebo and risperidone. Side effects were mild. The data extend 2012 observations by A.Y. Hardan et al. in which NAC improved irritability and stereotypy (repeated behavior) in autism more than placebo did.

The two studies taken together support the effectiveness of NAC prescribed either alone or in conjunction with an atypical antipsychotic for the treatment of autism.


http://bipolarnews.org/?p=2499

PharmaNAC:
Dr. O'Hara and Dr. Szakacs recommend PharmaNAC as it is manufactured and packaged in special conditions to prevent oxidation and degradation of the NAC in contrast to the common pill/bottle NAC products widely available. With a focus on maintaining stability, production and packaging is specifically designed to prevent degradation and/or oxidation to di-nac. The foul smell associated with NAC is actually a result of degradation. With their quality and packaging, PharmaNAC smells nice and is pleasant to take!

Risk of febrile seizures after first dose of measles–mumps–rubella–varicella vaccine: a population-based cohort study

From CMAJ June 9, 2014

Risk of febrile seizures after first dose of measles–mumps–rubella–varicella vaccine: a population-based cohort study

Background: The combination measles–mumps–rubella–varicella (MMRV) vaccine currently used in Canada (Priorix-Tetra) may increase the risk of febrile seizures relative to the separate vaccines (MMR and varicella) previously administered. We determined the risk of febrile seizure after the first dose of MMRV, as well as any additional risk for children at high risk for seizures because of pre-existing medical conditions.

http://www.cmaj.ca/content/early/2014/06/09/cmaj.140078

Environmental influences on genes linked to autism risk

From HealthDay News (5/29):

Environmental influences on genes linked to autism risk

U.S. researchers analyzed cheek cell samples from 95 children for environmental changes to genes and found two altered gene groups in those with autism spectrum disorder that were different from children without autism. The findings, published in the journal PLOS Genetics, "suggest that, at least in some individuals with an ASD, the same pathways in the brain seem to [be] hit by both [gene] mutations and epigenetic changes," senior author Dr. John Greally said.

http://consumer.healthday.com/cognitive-health-information-26/autism-news-51/scientists-discover-evidence-of-environmental-changes-to-genes-in-kids-with-autism-688288.html

One-size-suits-all vaccines will soon be replaced by safer, more effective ones

From Fiancial Post (5/8):

Lawrence Solomon: One-size-suits-all vaccines will soon be replaced by safer, more effective ones

Today’s vaccines are failing. Personalized vaccines that reflect an individual’s genetic profile are coming

Full article:
http://business.financialpost.com/2014/05/08/lawrence-solomon-vaccinomics-personal-vaccines/

Environmental factors as important as genes in understanding autism

From Science Daily (5/4/14):

Environmental factors are more important than previously thought in understanding the causes of autism, and equally as important as genes, according to the largest study to date to look at how autism runs in families. The study also provides measures of individual risk for children who have a relative with autism.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/05/140504095619.htm

Exenatide has potential as a disease modifying agent in Parkinson's disease

Are Parkinson's and ASD only steps apart?
Could treatment with anti-fungals, supplements and dietary changes make a difference?


From the Journal of Parkinson's Disease (5/6):

Exenatide has potential as a disease modifying agent in Parkinson's disease

A follow-up study of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) who participated in an earlier "proof of concept" clinical trial using exenatide showed that improvements persisted twelve months after discontinuing exenatide therapy. These data provide strong encouragement for the further study of this drug in patients with PD, report researchers in the Journal of Parkinson's Disease.

Several recent discoveries have highlighted common cellular pathways that potentially relate neurodegenerative processes with abnormal mitochondrial function and abnormal glucose metabolism.

Exenatide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 agonist (GLP-1 agonist) medication marketed as Byetta® and Bydureon® and used in the treatment of insulin resistance in patients with Type 2 diabetes, has been proposed as a disease modifying drug in PD. Earlier studies had shown that exenatide is neuroprotective and promotes functionally beneficial neuroplasticity in animal models of neurodegeneration. Furthermore, exenatide has a favorable safety profile, with only relatively mild gastrointestinal side effects (including nausea and weight loss) as frequent adverse events....

http://medicalxpress.com/news/2014-05-exenatide-potential-disease-agent-parkinson.html

Research ties autism to higher chronic disease risk in adulthood

From Disability Scoop (5/14), HealthDay News (5/14):

Research ties autism to higher chronic disease risk in adulthood

In an analysis of medical records of more than 23,000 people aged 18 and older, Kaiser Permanente researchers found that those with autism spectrum disorder had a greater likelihood of suffering from chronic conditions than those without autism. Almost all health problems were substantially more prevalent among individuals with autism, including hypertension, diabetes and gastrointestinal disorders. The findings will be presented at the International Meeting for Autism Research.

http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2014/05/14/study-autism-chronic-disease/19364/

Imaging reveals abnormal brain connections in ADHD

From Medical News Today (4/30):

Imaging reveals abnormal brain connections in ADHD

A study in the journal Radiology that used resting-state functional MRI revealed that children and teens with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder have disrupted brain connections in the orbitofrontal cortex and the globus pallidus. Researchers compared rfMRI results of 33 boys between 6 to 16 years old with 32 healthy controls.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/276150.php

Study finds varying rates of c-section births in U.S.

From United Press International (5/8), The Denver Post (5/8):

Study finds varying rates of c-section births in U.S.

A Consumer Reports analysis of data on more than 1,500 hospitals across 22 states found that rates of cesarean births for low-risk deliveries ranged from as low as 4% to as high as 57%.

http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2014/05/08/US-doctors-may-be-performing-too-many-Cesarean-sections/4121399572328/

Thimerosal-containing vaccine administration and the risk for an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis

Article:

Geier et al.: A two-phase study evaluating the relationship between Thimerosal-containing vaccine administration and the risk for an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis in the United States.
Translational Neurodegeneration 2013 2:25.

The researchers looked at the risk of autism among children who received mercury-containing DTaP (acellular diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis) and hepatitis b shots. They found a significantly increased risk for the incidence of ASD reported following the mercury-containing DTaP vaccine in comparison to the mercury-free DTaP vaccine. In addition, they found children diagnosed with an ASD were significantly more likely than controls to have received a mercury-containing hepatitis B vaccine administered within the first, second, and sixth month of life.

Read the whole study here:

http://www.biomedcentral.com/content/pdf/2047-9158-2-25.pdf

Gastro Woes More Common in Kids With Autism: Review

From HealthDay News (4/28):


Gastro Woes More Common in Kids With Autism: Review


A review published in the journal Pediatrics showed that children with autism had a more than fourfold increased risk of gastrointestinal problems compared with those without the condition. Children with autism were four times as likely to have diarrhea and constipation and two times as likely to have abdominal pain compared with typically developing peers.

http://consumer.healthday.com/cognitive-health-information-26/autism-news-51/digestive-problems-common-in-kids-with-autism-687209.html

PANS in the news...

PANS in the news...

From the Hartford Courant (4/23):

http://www.courant.com/news/nation-world/sns-mct-bc-med-pans-20140423,0,2376674,full.story

How the Overuse of Antibiotics Is Fueling Our Modern Plagues

MISSING MICROBES
How the Overuse of Antibiotics Is Fueling Our Modern Plagues
by Martin J. Blaser

https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/martin-j-blaser/missing-microbes/

CDC estimates 1 in 68 U.S. children has autism

From Los Angeles Daily News/Agence France-Presse (3/27), USA Today (3/27), Reuters (3/27):

CDC officials reported Thursday that autism rates in the U.S. jumped almost 30% between 2008 and 2010, with as many as 1 in 68 8-year-olds now affected by the condition. The incidence of autism spectrum disorder was higher among white children than black or Hispanic children. The report showed geographic disparities as well, ranging from 1 in 175 children in Alabama to 1 in 45 children in New Jersey.

http://dfm.dailynews.com/article/autism-prevalence-among-us-children-on-the-rise/bd2ce374c034c85118958c59e928447c

Rotavirus vaccines linked to slightly raised intussusception risk in infants

From WebMD/HealthDay News (1/14), DailyRx.com (1/14):

Researchers noted there were about 1.5 cases of intussusception for every 100,000 infants who were given the RotaTeq rotavirus vaccine. In another study, researchers found no increased likelihood of the bowel obstruction with RotaTeq, but did find 5.3 cases of the complication per 100,000 babies who received two doses of the Rotarix vaccine. Both studies were published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/news/20140114/common-infant-vaccine-tied-to-slight-rise-in-risk-for-bowel-complication