https://www.newsweek.com/dual-approach-autism-opinion-1818062
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https://www.newsweek.com/dual-approach-autism-opinion-1818062
https://www.newsweek.com/dual-approach-autism-opinion-1818062
https://www.newsweek.com/dual-approach-autism-opinion-1818062
My article in Newsweek
https://www.newsweek.com/dual-approach-autism-opinion-1818062
https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2023/06/01/schizophrenia-autoimmune-lupus-psychiatry/
YES. I believe there are parallels for autism. There is probably some other physiological stuff going on that is causing all the SIB, meltdown and even struggles with talking ability which fluctuate on a day to day basis - all stuff which what makes or breaks your inclusion in society and gatekeeps opportunities. I bet after a few decades when I am a very old man, i will find out that what I had was some INFLAMMATORY PROCESS that and treatable as a baby itself and I could have had a better quality of life instead of struggles, exclusion and rejections at every step.
Markx and his colleagues discovered that although April’s illness was clinically indistinguishable from schizophrenia, she also had lupus, an underlying and treatable autoimmune condition that was attacking her brain.
... a complex autoimmune disorder where the immune system turns on its own body, producing many antibodies that attack the skin, joints, kidneys or other organs. But April’s symptoms weren’t typical, and there were no obvious external signs of the disease; the lupus appeared to only be affecting her brain.
After months of targeted treatments — and more than two decades trapped in her mind — April woke up.
ERGO: underlying autoimmune and inflammatory processes may be more common in patients with a variety of psychiatric syndromes than previously believed.
undergone many courses of treatment — antipsychotics, mood stabilizers and electroconvulsive therapy — all to no avail.
https://brainfoundation.org/empowering-voices-epilepsy-in-autism/
on 6/2/23.
Registration https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Y_T4XhL8SqazIsqfkg4AjA#/registration
Regressive autism / late-onset autism /acquired autism, is where a child develops typically in early childhood meeting all developmental milestones, but then experiences a loss of previously acquired skills, at around 1.5 years to 4 years. Estimates of regressive autism range from 30 - 44% of kids who get diagnosed with autism in childhood. (1,2,3)
This loss/regression is especially evident in the areas of social communication and interaction; such as loss of interest in social interaction, loss of eye contact, loss of spoken language, loss of motor skills and the development of repetitive behaviors.
For instance, I met all my developmental milestones till 1.5 years, including the ability to able to speak short phrases. I was the happy social butterfly at my first birthday party; I interacted with everyone at the party. I pointed to the distant bird sitting on a tree and engaged in joint attention activities.
But after my regression at 16-18 months, I lost a majority of the previous skills. By age 2, I lost the ability to talk, the ability to make eye contact, the ability to point, the ability to do a pincer grasp and the ability to hold a spoon. I no longer recognized even my parents. I hid under the table, walked on tiptoe, endlessly spun the wheels on my tricycle and lined up every toy in the house. I was in a confused and dazed state and cried most of the time in daycare. I fussed for eating and sleeping.
Alzeheimers and Oxidative Stress was the topic of study at my cell neuroscience course.
Increasingly research is showing a link between Autism and Alzheimer's though they had been considered distinct neurological disorders in the past.
Recognizing the transitions that come with adolescence in autism, along with the current inadequacy of needed supports, care and services. Translatable solutions are needed now.
Propanaol has come up in lectures in my Cell Neuroscience course this sem. Of personal interest to me, as its use has become prevalent in the autism population. My last set of docs at Stanford said they preferred its use as it has less side effects compared to other drugs. I have mixed feelings about it effectiveness in my case but I've heard its helping a number of other autistics.
The use of Propranolol (brand names - Inderal, Hemangeol, & InnoPran XL) in autism is actually off-label as some research has suggested that propranolol may be helpful with anxiety, social withdrawal and repetitive behaviors. More research is needed to fully understand its effectiveness in autism.
In class today, we studied pharmacology of GABA-A receptors, specifically Benzodiazepine's. Of personal interest as I've been on lorazepam (fast acting for agitation, mood swings) and clonazepam (longer lasting). Unfortunately the body develops a tolerance and these don't work anymore.