Front cover image for Changing the course of autism : a scientific approach for parents and physicians

Changing the course of autism : a scientific approach for parents and physicians

Describes autism as an epidemic, examines its potential causes, and argues that it can be treated as a medical disease rather than a behavioral disorder, discussing specific treatments
eBook, English, 2007
1st Sentient Publications ed View all formats and editions
Sentient Publications, Boulder, CO, 2007
1 online resource (xx, 358 pages : illustrations)
1029288105
Introduction : coming to terms with autism
1. An important note to readers
2. The rise and fall of the "refrigerator mother" theory
Kanner's diagnosis
The refrigerator mother theory
Progress in behavioral intervention
3. Autism isn't purely genetic
4. The autism epidemic
Concern in California
The MIND Institute study
Diagnostic substitution?
What about the rest of the country?
What about other countries?
Changes in the diagnostic criteria
Other explanation?
The hidden horde theory refuted
California update
The autism crisis
5. Autism is a disease, not a disability
Autism : an environmental illness
Disease, not disability
The multiple hit hypothesis
6. Basics of the immune system
The first line of defense
The non-specific or innate immune response
The antigen-specific or adaptive immune response
Antigen-presenting cells (APCs)
T-cells
B-cells
Th1 vs. Th2 response
Other immune cells. 7. The problem of immune dysregulation
Do individuals with autism have immune dysregulation?
Excessive inflammation
Autoimmune reactions
Food reactions
Abnormal response to infections
8. Measles and the MMR controversy
The epidemiology wars
Biological plausibility
Confirmation
9. Is autism a gut disease?
Diagnostic confirmation of upper GI disease
Abnormal stools
Autistic enterocolitis
Leaky gut syndrome
Intestinal dysbiosis
10. Why can't they detoxify?
Detoxification 101
The methylation cycle
The importance of glutathione
Impaired methylation in autism
11. Does mercury cause autism?
The mercury cycle
The toxicity of mercury
The EPA reports concern about mercury
Mercury and autism
What is thimerosal?
Thimerosal studies. 12. Further evidence against mercury
Where does ethylmercury go?
Is ethylmercury as bad as methylmercury?
Cell death in the brain and the immune system
Thimerosal inhibits glutamate transport
Thimerosal affects nerve differentiation
Can you be genetically at risk for thimerosal injury?
Other effects of thimerosal on the immune system
Thimerosal inhibits methylation
Thimerosal depletes intracellular glutathione in brain cells
Other effects of thimerosal
Autistic children and mercury exposure
Environmental mercury exposure and autism
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) report
13. Autism and the brain
Neuroanatomy (brain structure)
Abnormal neurochemistry
Seizures
Sleep disturbances
14. The autism web, making sense of the disease
15. Treating autism
The multi-tiered treatment approach. 16. Correcting nutritional deficiencies
Vitamins
Minerals
Omega fatty acids
Essential amino acids
Other nutrients
Providing a good diet
17. Treating the gut
Treating dysbiosis
Digestive enzymes
Fixing a leaky gut
Treating constipation
Treating reflux
Treating autistic enterocolitis
18. Detoxification
Preventing oxidative stress
Supporting the detoxification pathway
Removing toxins
19. Treating the immune system
Immune system support
Removing immune triggers
Breaking the inflammatory cycle
20. Treating the brain
Removing false neurotransmitters and neurotoxins
Modulating neurotransmitters
Neurohormones
Supply the brain with oxygen
Treating seizures
21. Lessons from Israel
Appendix A. Parent ratings of behavioral effects of biomedical interventions
Appendix B. DSM III-R and DSM IV criteria for autism
Notes
Glossary
"A paperback original"--Title page verso
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