Wednesday, 23 February 2011
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Could Autism be a protein problem?
San Diego was an autism spotlight weeks ago, with the University of California-San Diego publishing two studies regarding the disability. Their most recent was featured in the Journal of Biological Chemistry September issue, and found that misfolding of a certain protein, caused by gene mutations, results in deficiencies that can lead to abnormal communications between neurons. Genetic misfoldings prevent normal formation of neuronic synapses and has been noted in autistic people. Genetic mutations in autistic people were discovered just seven years ago, but could increasing understanding behind what causes autism and what influences the disability most, a good question with talk of environmental vs. genetic factors behind autism spectrum disorder. Discovering these mutations can also offer new targets for therapies.
The topic itself is very complex and difficult to apply in current situations with the general public. Further complicating these stories is a lack of knowledge of genetics within part of the autism community. The only recent story I can recall that was published by a mainstream news organization was ABC, when they reported a story suggesting that genes of an autistic person are dormant, compared to missing genes in people with other disabilities. The article’s link originated from UCSD’s own health department website, and I can’t see much syndication beyond their school newspaper. However, that’s no reason to discredit what colleges are doing to further the quest for knowledge. Whether it’s medical, genetic, or another form of science, college employees and researches often advance projects that reveal answers the rest of us may not have time to find.
Scientific studies may not be visually compelling or easy to comprehend at first, but because they reveal clues to understanding a rapidly prevalent mental disability, they will often serve a behind-the-scenes role in stories that traditional news organizations decide to pursue, including UCSD’s own study of autistic toddlers preferring to gaze at geometric shapes instead of people.
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- From: theautisticjournalist
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Comments (8)
Yeah, I've read that before.
I believe that schizophrenia has to do with some messed up metabolizing of potassium. I believe that. No matter what I eat, my body seems to keep low potassium. Now, Beck decided to novacaine me without taking into consideration existing conditions verbal counseling... so I have no instincts. I've decided to be obnoxious for awhile.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gprLXOZPNg4 <-- this is bullshit.
Our society replicates disability for some reason... probably because we so openly tolerate it, which is uber unwise.
if we look back at how these diagnosis came about in the beginning it came from a dr, that believed he found something similialr to schizophrenia, but wasn't...as far as lack of protien...protein is the highest part of my daughters diet....i so disagree that diet has any part of there condition, it just can affect the condition it comes far before diet comes into play..its no different than than our own diet, to much of one bringd thid to less of one bringd this...it goes deeper
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I have seen it before on the internet.
I don't think diet has much to do with autism. Some autistic kids have gastric problems and resistance to certain proteins, but only 10% of all autistic children have these symptoms at all. I think the theories supporting diets and health related causes towards autism is just hopeful thinking. It's genetic in my opinion and I think energy is better spent in treating symptoms such as Verbal/Physical Stems and Social Cognition than toiling away at why 10% of the kids have stomach aches. I mean Good Lord, I look at a kid on one of those Gluten Free diets and think "Yeah, that one still looks autistic to me." I understand that the genetics of autism is a confusing and touchy subject and that it is much easier intellectuality, financially, and emotionally to study the gastric-protein aspects of the disorder, but it just doesn't make a lot of sense to me...
this article has nothing to do with diet and everything to do with genetics (proteins are involved in the process of genetics)... I really appreciate this post as it deals with actual science and not hyper-paranoia.
The focus on treatment of autistic children should be on regimenting behaviors while also teaching them skills and language/communication.
The mis-folding proteins have to do with genetics, NOT food intake. I don't understand why there is a picture of meat, eggs, and cheese up top. This idea though of protein involvement seems like a plausible reason for a cause of autism.
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