Autism
Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Deficiencies & Potential Mechanisms in ADHD
Deficiency in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) has recently been investigated as a potential pathogenetic mechanism in ADHD ((Stevens et al, 1995). Although current pharmacotherapies, such as methylphenidate and atomoxetine, are able to improve ADHD symptoms, there is still about 20-40% of patients with ADHD who do not benefitRead
Diet and Mental Health: What is the Evidence?
There has been a great deal of press lately on diet and mental health. A new expert review confirms that yes, diet significantly influences mental health and well being, however, the evidence for some diets is comparatively weak, says a new study in the peer-reviewed journal European Neuropsychopharmacology. “We haveRead
Pesticides: Our Children in Jeopardy
The recently released Pesticide Action Network North America report “A Generation in Jeopardy” is replete with information and over 200 citations.1 This is a synopsis of some of the points made in this report…
Autistic Children Show Underdeveloped Range & Volume of Gut Bacteria
As small study from the journal Gut sheds light on the bacterial composition of the gut in autistic children. Researchers say the gut bacteria is distinctive and underdeveloped, but is not related to their diet. The research found these children have significantly fewer bacteria linked to neurotransmitter activity and 5Read
DHA Supplement May Offset Damaging Outcomes of Maternal Stress on Unborn Males in Early Development
Neurodevelopmental disorders like autism and schizophrenia disproportionately affect males and are directly linked to early life adversity caused by maternal stress and other factors, which might be impacted by nutrition. But the underlying reasons for these male-specific impacts are not well understood. Researchers from the University of Missouri School ofRead
Study Shows Reduced IQ Among Boys from Maternal Exposure to Fluoride
While community water fluoridation has been used to prevent tooth decay, health concerns about neurotoxicity have remained. A recent study about maternal exposure to fluoride sheds new light on the issue and shifts the conversation away from what has been considered junk science toward significance. From a clinical perspective, theRead
Second Propionic Study in Recent Months Shows The Preservative May be Linked to Autism
With one in 59 children diagnosed with autism, there is an urgent need to find the causes of the disorder. University of Central Florida (UCF) researchers are now a step closer to showing the link between the effect of Propionic acid (PPA), a short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) consumed during pregnancy andRead
Aluminum and Autism: Is There a Link?
The following is an excerpted version of a 2018 study from the Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology on human exposure to aluminum and autism. We encourage you to click through to the full text study at the end of this summary for the complete results. This studyRead
Prenatal Vitamin Intake May Reduce Autism Recurrence Risk in Siblings
Maternal use of folic acid supplements has been inconsistently associated with reduced risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the child. This study, published in JAMA Psychiatry, examined whether prenatal vitamin use by mothers was associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) recurrence in high-risk families. This prospective cohort study analyzed dataRead
Microbiota-Mediated Regulation of the Immune System in a Prenatal Immune Activation Model of Autism
In what is being described as cutting-edge research, published in the Journal of Immunology, scientists from the University of Virginia School of Medicine suggest that a mother’s microbiome during pregnancy plays a critical role in determining the child’s risk of developing autism-spectrum disorders. The study raises the possibility that autismRead
