More on the vaccine front

From Safeminds.org

Pediatric Vaccines Influence Primate Behavior, and Amygdala Growth and Opioid Ligand Binding Friday, May 16, 2008: IMFAR

L. Hewitson , Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA B. Lopresti , Radiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA C. Stott , Thoughtful House Center for Children, Austin, TX J. Tomko , Pittsburgh Development Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA L. Houser , Pittsburgh Development Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA E. Klein , Division of Laboratory Animal Resources, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA C. Castro , Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA G. Sackett , Psychology, Washington National Primate Research Center, Seattle, WA S. Gupta , Medicine, Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of California - Irvine, Irvine, CA D. Atwood , Chemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY L. Blue , Chemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY E. R. White , Chemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY A. Wakefield , Thoughtful House Center for Children, Austin, TX

Background: Macaques are commonly used in pre-clinical vaccine safety testing, but the combined childhood vaccine regimen, rather than individual vaccines, has not been studied. Childhood vaccines are a possible causal factor in autism, and abnormal behaviors and anomalous amygdala growth are potentially inter-related features of this condition.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to compare early infant cognition and behavior with amygdala size and opioid binding in rhesus macaques receiving the recommended childhood vaccines (1994-1999), the majority of which contained the bactericidal preservative ethylmercurithiosalicylic acid (thimerosal).

Methods: Macaques were administered the recommended infant vaccines, adjusted for age and thimerosal dose (exposed; N=13), or saline (unexposed; N=3). Primate development, cognition and social behavior were assessed for both vaccinated and unvaccinated infants using standardized tests developed at the Washington National Primate Research Center. Amygdala growth and binding were measured serially by MRI and by the binding of the non-selective opioid antagonist [11C]diprenorphine, measured by PET, respectively, before (T1) and after (T2) the administration of the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine (MMR).

Results: Compared with unexposed animals, significant neurodevelopmental deficits were evident for exposed animals in survival reflexes, tests of color discrimination and reversal, and learning sets. Differences in behaviors were observed between exposed and unexposed animals and within the exposed group before and after MMR vaccination. Compared with unexposed animals, exposed animals showed attenuation of amygdala growth and differences in the amygdala binding of [11C]diprenorphine. Interaction models identified significant associations between specific aberrant social and non-social behaviors, isotope binding, and vaccine exposure.

Conclusions: This animal model, which examines for the first time, behavioral, functional, and neuromorphometric consequences of the childhood vaccine regimen, mimics certain neurological abnormalities of autism. The findings raise important safety issues while providing a potential model for examining aspects of causation and disease pathogenesis in acquired disorders of behavior and development.

Pediatric Vaccines Influence Primate Behavior, and Brain Stem Volume and Opioid Ligand Binding Saturday, IMFAR

Wakefield , Thoughtful House Center for Children, Austin, TX C. Stott , Thoughtful House Center for Children, Austin, TX B. Lopresti , Radiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA J. Tomko , Pittsburgh Development Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA L. Houser , Pittsburgh Development Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA G. Sackett , Psychology, Washington National Primate Research Center, Seattle, WA L. Hewitson , Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

Background: Abnormal brainstem structure and function have been reported in children with autism. Opioid receptors play key roles in neuro-ontogeny, are present in brainstem nuclei, and may influence aspects of autism. Childhood vaccines are a possible causal factor in autism and while primates are used in pre-clinical vaccine safety testing, the recommended infant regimen (1994-1999) has not been tested.

Objectives:

The objective of this study was to compare brain stem volume and opioid binding in rhesus infants receiving the recommended infant vaccine regimen.

Methods:

Rhesus macaques were administered vaccines adjusted for age and thimerosal dose (exposed; N=13), or placebo (unexposed; N=3) from birth onwards. Brainstem volume was measured by quantitative MRI, and binding of the non-selective opioid antagonist [11C]diprenorphine (DPN) was measured by PET, at 2 (T1) and 4 (T2) months of age. Neonatal reflexes and sensorimotor responses were measured in standardized tests for 30 days.

Results:

Kaplan-Meier survival analyses revealed significant differences between exposed and unexposed animals, with delayed acquisition of root, suck, clasp hand, and clasp foot reflexes. Interaction models examined possible relationships between time-to-acquisition of reflexes, exposure, [3C]DPN binding, and volume. Statistically significant interactions between exposure and time-to–acquisition of reflex on overall levels of binding at T1 and T2 were observed for all 18 reflexes. For all but one (snout), this involved a mean increase in time-to-acquisition of the reflex for exposed animals. In each model there was also a significant interaction between exposure and MRI volume on overall binding.

Conclusions:

This animal model examines the neurological consequences of the childhood vaccine regimen. Functional and neuromorphometric brainstem anomalies were evident in vaccinated animals that may be relevant to some aspects of autism. The findings raise important safety issues while providing a potential animal model for examining aspects of causation and disease pathogenesis in acquired neurodevelopmental disorders.

Microarray Analysis of GI Tissue in a Macaque Model of the Effects of Infant Vaccination Saturday, May 17, 2008 IMFAR
S. J. Walker , Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, E. K. Lobenhofer , Cogenics, a Division of Clinical Data E. Klein , Division of Laboratory Animal Resources, University of Pittsburgh, A. Wakefield , Thoughtful House Center for Children, Austin, TX L. Hewitson , Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

Background: There has been considerable debate regarding the question of an interaction between childhood vaccinations and adverse sequelae in the gastrointestinal tract, immune system, and central nervous system of some recipients. These systems, either singly or in combination, appear to be adversely affected in many ASD children. Although pre-clinical tests of individual vaccines routinely find the risk/benefit ratio to be low, previously there has not been a study to examine the effects of the comprehensive vaccination regime currently in use for infants.

Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate potential alterations in normal growth and development resulting from the vaccine regimen that was in use from 1994-1999. Specifically, this portion of the study was to compare the gene expression profiles obtained from gastrointestinal tissue from vaccinated and unvaccinated infants.

Methods: Infant male macaques were vaccinated (or given saline placebo) using the human vaccination schedule. Dosages and times of administration were adjusted for differences between macaques and humans. Biopsy tissue was collected from the animals at three time points: (1) 10 weeks [pre-MMR1], (2) 14 weeks [post-MMR1] and, (3) 12-15 months [at necropsy]. Whole genome microarray analysis was performed on RNA extracted from the GI tissue from 7 vaccinated and 2 unvaccinated animals at each of these 3 time points (27 samples total).

Results: Histopathological examination revealed that vaccinated animals exhibited progressively severe chronic active inflammation, whereas unexposed animals did not. Gene expression comparisons between the groups (vaccinated versus unvaccinated) revealed only 120 genes differentially expressed (fc >1.5; log ratio p<0.001)>

Conclusions: We have found many significant differences in the GI tissue gene expression profiles between vaccinated and unvaccinated animals. These differences will be presented and discussed.

The authors and organizations are withholding comment or elaboration until the full articles are published.

Monkey business

SICK MONKEYS: RESEARCH LINKS VACCINE LOAD, AUTISM SIGNS

BY DAN OLMSTED
The first research project to examine effects of the total vaccine load received by children in the 1990s has found autism-like signs and symptoms in infant monkeys vaccinated the same way. The study's principal investigator, Laura Hewitson from the University of Pittsburgh, reports developmental delays, behavior problems and brain changes in macaque monkeys that mimic "certain neurological abnormalities of autism."
The findings are being reported Friday and Saturday at a major international autism conference in London.

Read the rest here.

Low NK activity in large autism subgroup

Low natural killer cell cytotoxic activity in autism: The role of
glutathione, IL-2 and IL-15

Aristo Vojdani, Elizabeth Mumper, Doreen Granpeesheh, Lynne Mielke,
David Traver, Kenneth Bock, Karima Hirani, James Neubrander, Kurt N.
Woeller, Nancy O'Hara, Anju Usman, Cindy Schneider, Frank Hebroni,
Joshua Berookhim and Jaquelyn McCandless.

Journal of Neuroimmunology
Volume 205, Issues 1-2, 15 December 2008, Pages 148-154
http://tinyurl.com/oew4ph

Although many articles have reported immune abnormalities in autism,
NK cell activity has only been examined in one study of 31 patients,
of whom 12 were found to have reduced NK activity. The mechanism
behind this low NK cell activity was not explored. For this reason, we
explored the measurement of NK cell activity in 1027 blood samples
from autistic children obtained from ten clinics and compared the
results to 113 healthy controls. This counting of NK cells and the
measurement of their lytic activity enabled us to express the NK cell
activity/100 cells. At the cutoff of 15–50 LU we found that NK cell
activity was low in 41–81% of the patients from the different clinics.
This NK cell activity below 15 LU was found in only 8% of healthy
subjects (p < 0.001). Low NK cell activity in both groups did not
correlate with percentage and absolute number of CD16+/CD56+ cells.
When the NK cytotoxic activity was expressed based on activity/100
CD16+/CD56+ cells, several patients who had displayed NK cell activity
below 15 LU exhibited normal NK cell activity. Overall, after this
correction factor, 45% of the children with autism still exhibited low
NK cell activity, correlating with the intracellular level of
glutathione. Finally, we cultured lymphocytes of patients with low or
high NK cell activity/cell with or without glutathione, IL-2 and
IL-15. The induction of NK cell activity by IL-2, IL-15 and
glutathione was more pronounced in a subgroup with very low NK cell
activity. We conclude that that 45% of a subgroup of children with
autism suffers from low NK cell activity, and that low intracellular
levels of glutathione, IL-2 and IL-15 may be responsible.

It's been a while but check this out...

http://bit.ly/QH1GI

It makes me outraged that this is perfectly acceptable and appropriate medical treatment for the mainstream medical community while other biomedical treatments such as diet, supplements, antivirals, etc. are all considered "experimental", "dangerous" and "unproven". You have to wonder what is going on in this world when antipsychotics and antidepressants for children are the norm and parents, other medical professionals and the children themselves are completely ignored. Where is the outrage? Why aren't the people out there calling us "crazy" beating on this door? Why is this considered safe and a GFCF diet isn't? I simply can't wrap my head around several mostly irreversible possible side effects being better than oh, digestive enzymes and treating for yeast.

I guess I'm still crazy.

I haven't blogged in a while. I realize I've been very lax in my duties as a very unknown blogger. Things are slowing down around the homestead so I hope to be bloggining regularly. I've said that before so don't hold your breath but who knows. I do plan to put forth a bit more effort so I know I'll at least do better. :)

An Investigation of Porphyrinuria in Australian Children with Autism

Just a driveby blog to post this:

1: J Toxicol Environ Health A. 2008;71(20):1349-51.


An investigation of porphyrinuria in Australian children with autism.

Austin DW, Shandley K.
Swinburne Autism Bio-Research Initiative (SABRI), Faculty of Life and Social Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia. daustin@swin.edu.au

Two recent studies, from France (Nataf et al., 2006) and the United States (Geier & Geier, 2007), identified atypical urinary porphyrin profiles in children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). These profiles serve as an indirect measure of environmental toxicity generally, and mercury (Hg) toxicity specifically, with the latter being a variable proposed as a causal mechanism of ASD (Bernard et al., 2001; Mutter et al., 2005). To examine whether this phenomenon occurred in a sample of Australian children with ASD, an analysis of urinary porphyrin profiles was conducted. A consistent trend in abnormal porphyrin levels was evidenced when data was compared with those previously reported in the literature. The results are suggestive of environmental toxic exposure impairing heme synthesis. Three independent studies from three continents have now demonstrated that porphyrinuria is concomitant with ASD, and that Hg may be a likely xenobiotic to produce porphyrin profiles of this nature.

PMID: 18704827

Supplements, Supplements, Supplements!

Yes, we can easily drown in the sea of supplements! I know, it's hard to keep them all straight and it's hard to afford them all. But here is a list of sources so if you aren't fortunate enough to live near a great health food store you can still get what you need. I have no affiliation with any of these companies other than as a shopper at a couple. I also don't hold any back because of bias. To each their own and it's up to you to decide for yourself.

Kirkman Labs
Nordic Naturals
NCD Zeolites
ASD Market
Millenium Nutritionals
New Beginnings Neutraceuticals
Houston Enzymes
Holistic Heal (Yasko supplements)
The Vitamin Shoppe
Evitamins
Vitacost
Herb Shop
Digestive Wellness (specifically for SCD)
GI Pro Health (specifically for SCD)
NEEDS, Inc.
Enzymedica
Spectrum Mart ASD mom owned, buying groups can be formed.

There are many others and as I either learn of more or remember more I'll add them.

Happy shopping!

Diet? What Diet?!?

Let's face it, once you enter the world of autism, nothing is sacred. Not even that yummy slice of cake or bowl of ice cream you secretly yearn for every day. With our children, diet can mean everything and in some cases, diet can mean nothing (although you still want it to be healthy). In the case of my son, we worked on diet for 2 years with no results so I stopped trying. Some would say that I shouldn't have but I have limited resources and I'd rather put those resources where I'll get the most bang for my buck. But I do suggest that everyone at least try because many children do so much better just working on diet alone. Give it 6 months to a year because it can take that long just to get it right.

GFCF (Gluten Free, Casein Free)

The Gluten Free/Casein Free diet is generally the most popular. This is hard one to implement because gluten and casein is in just about everything. You must read labels carefully and know all the "code words" for them. Hidden sources are everywhere.

Why is it helpful, you ask? Well, there are several reasons. First, many of our kids are allergic (IgE allergies) or have food sensitivities (IgG allergies). If they have them, it's toxic and places a great deal of strain on the immune system. In many cases, more than gfcf needs to be implemented such as removal or corn and soy. A poorly functioning immune system equals a not so great functioning brain and body. Gluten and casein can also have an opioid effect where it creates a "high". Hyper, brain fog, aggression, etc. In some cases, it may also be that the gut simply can't break it down and metabolize it and causes/contributes to leaky gut.

10 Weeks To GFCF

SCD (Specific Carbohydrate Diet)

Also a difficult diet but again, another one in which many people find success. This involves exactly what the name implies and was originally developed for ulcerative colitis and IBD. It's very restrictive but many kids with severe gut issues find help with this diet.

Breaking the Vicious Cycle

Feingold Diet

This is much simpler but some kids may find it too lenient. Still, it can be effective and there are some that do just fine with this diet alone. Especially used in ADHD.

Feingold Association of the United States

Other diets?
Yes, of course there are other diets to choose from but I mention these because these are the most prominent. And yes, in some cases, diet isn't needed. Each child is so different and has such individual needs that it's hard to say if a diet will be effective. The only way to know is to try. As I said earlier, we did diet for a couple years before we dropped diet altogether. We never saw any changes, good or bad and these diets can be costly. So we chose to place our money where it was actually being effective. We still avoid the basics - artificial dyes, artificial sugar, preservatives and processed foods. We try to eat as much organic food as possible and basically do our best to keep food as healthy as possible. But my suggestion is to always try dealing with diet first. You don't know if it's going to work until you do. There's no test more accurate than just starting and watching. You need to give diets time to work, too. Give it at least 6 months and some say 1 year. We went over 2 years with diets so we definitely put in the effort and the time and I always recommend others do the same before giving up. They can be hard to implement and for the first few months, mistakes will be made as you discover all the many words for gluten, casein, etc. Reading and understanding labels is essential and you have to take your time figuring it all out.

Good luck!