Autism Spectrum Disorder is an epidemic in our society, with a current prevalence of 1 in 36 children according to some estimates. It wasn’t long ago, that same estimate suggested 1 in 68 children; nearly a doubling of occurrence in less than a decade!
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), which includes Asperger’s syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD), and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD), is a neurodevelopmental disorder. Contrary to the long standing belief that it was a behavioral disorder, it is now known to be characterized by certain physiological abnormalities, including oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and immune dysregulation/inflammation. Evidence also suggests that epigenetic factors (the interaction of genetics & the environment or environmental exposures), play a significant role, as studies have found evidence of elevated heavy metals, environmental toxins, nutrient deficiencies, microbiome imbalances or dysbiosis, enzyme dysfunction, and even altered neurotransmitter biochemistry.
Children with ASD often have multiple biomedical abnormalities including disordered brain development, immune system dysfunction with autoimmune and allergic tendencies, inflammatory digestive disorders, and impaired detoxification pathways.
Investigations of treatments for mitochondrial dysfunction in ASD are promising but preliminary. Treatment of ASD begins with a thorough assessment of biomarkers to identify physiological abnormalities & the particular sub-type of the mitochondrial dysfunction, which then guides treatment options (i.e. which micronutrients are needed, such as Folinic Acid, CoQ10 (Ubiquinol), ALCAR, Methyl B12, and NAC).
Common biomarkers in ASD individuals with mitochondrial (mito) dysfunction include elevations in: lactate (17% prevalence), pyruvate (41%), alanine (15%), creatine kinase (9%), acyl-carnitines, and citric acid cycle metabolites. These are associated with clinical features such as delays in language, social interaction, cognition, motor skills, and with repetitive behaviors and gastrointestinal symptoms, although not all studies found an association. Variability was found across biomarker studies primarily due to differences in collection and processing techniques as well as the intrinsic heterogeneity of the ASD population.
Signs of oxidative stress and abnormalities in redox metabolism, are seen in children with ASD. Oxidative stress is a disturbance in the balance between the production of reactive oxygen species (free radicals) and antioxidant defenses. The creation of this reactive species (both oxygen and nitrogen) creates unstable molecules (called free radicals) which can react with other molecules, thus damaging those molecules.
Causes:
- Body itself creates free radicals though the mitochondria
- Other body systems create free radicals
- Environmental toxin exposure, air pollution
- Environmental stressors – ultraviolet light and radiation
- Smoking
- Inflammation
A body needs a balance between having some free radicals but not too many. Aging, disease, and cell death are believed to be caused by too many free radicals, but when too few free radicals exist, problems with growth and regulation of the body’s systems occur.
Autism has evidence of both too many and too few free radicals. The major antioxidant in the body, glutathione or GSH, requires energy from the mitochondria to produce and is important in eliminating toxins. The production of glutathione depends on methylation and the folate cycle, again, producing striking abnormalities in specific metabolites that are often found in children with autism. Such children have a predisposition to reacting poorly to even mild oxidative insults, such as a viral illness or environmental exposure (i.e. there is often a worsening of symptoms).
In summary, oxidative stress weakens mitochondrial function and causes programmed cell death, resulting in dysfunction and reduced production of energy for the cell (ATP) as well as creating a cycle of more free radical production. A strong connection between mitochondrial disease and autism and oxidative stress has been found, possibly due to an interaction between genetics and the environment.
The Biomedical treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), has evolved substantially over the last decade, thanks to the efforts of organizations such as MAPS (Medical Academy of Pediatric Special Needs), and individual researchers such Dr. Dan Rossignol, MD & Dr. Richard Frye, MD. The Biomedical treatment of ASD takes a functional medicine approach to treatment, which means assessing & treating the underlying abnormalities on an individualized basis. Biomedical treatment includes thorough assessment through medical history, family history, review of systems and extensive laboratory testing, such as:
- Methylation (genetic) testing
- Organic Acid Testing
- Heavy Metal Testing
- Oxidative Damage Assays
- Glutathione Testing
- Comprehensive Diagnostic Stool Analysis
- Mold & Mycotoxin Testing
- FRAT (Folate Receptor AutoAntibody Testing)
- Food Sensitivity & Allergy Testing
- Micronutrient Testing
Benefits of biomedical treatment include:
- Enhancement in receptive, expressive and spontaneous language development
- Increase in vocabulary, language complexity and appropriate use of language
- Increased social awareness, interaction and appropriate play
- Cognition, understanding and learning
- Eye contact and responsiveness
- Normalized behaviors and interaction including self-stimulating, self-injurious, tics and aggression
- Understanding and feeling emotions, affection or increased tolerance to touch
Research in the following areas is helping DAN (Defeat Autism Now) doctors and MAPS (Medical Academy of Pediatric Special Needs) physicians to identify underlying weaknesses in children’s physiology, biochemistry and immune function. Assessment and treatment of these impairments can result in encouraging, and at times dramatic developmental gains for children in ASD, ADHD, OCD, Apraxia/Dyspraxia, Tic Disorders and Speech Language Delay:
- Oxidative Stress
- Mitochondrial Dysfunction
- Immune system Abnormalities
- Environmental Toxicity
- Digestive Dysbiosis
- Methylation Impairment
If you’re looking for a Surrey naturopath with two decades of experience with Autism Spectrum Disorder, learn more about our Surrey clinic.