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D’Adamo CR, Nelson JL, Miller SN, Rickert Hong M, Lambert E, Tallman Ruhm H. Reversal of Autism Symptoms among Dizygotic Twins through a Personalized Lifestyle and Environmental Modification Approach: A Case Report and Review of the Literature. J Pers Med 2024; 14:641. [PMID: 38929862 PMCID: PMC11205016 DOI: 10.3390/jpm14060641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of autism has been increasing at an alarming rate. Even accounting for the expansion of autism spectrum disorder diagnostic (ASD) criteria throughout the 1990's, there has been an over 300% increase in ASD prevalence since the year 2000. The often debilitating personal, familial, and societal sequelae of autism are generally believed to be lifelong. However, there have been several encouraging case reports demonstrating the reversal of autism diagnoses, with a therapeutic focus on addressing the environmental and modifiable lifestyle factors believed to be largely underlying the condition. This case report describes the reversal of autism symptoms among dizygotic, female twin toddlers and provides a review of related literature describing associations between modifiable lifestyle factors, environmental exposures, and various clinical approaches to treating autism. The twins were diagnosed with Level 3 severity ASD "requiring very substantial support" at approximately 20 months of age following concerns of limited verbal and non-verbal communication, repetitive behaviors, rigidity around transitions, and extensive gastrointestinal symptoms, among other common symptoms. A parent-driven, multidisciplinary, therapeutic intervention involving a variety of licensed clinicians focusing primarily on addressing environmental and modifiable lifestyle factors was personalized to each of the twin's symptoms, labs, and other outcome measures. Dramatic improvements were noted within several months in most domains of the twins' symptoms, which manifested in reductions of Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) scores from 76 to 32 in one of the twins and from 43 to 4 in the other twin. The improvement in symptoms and ATEC scores has remained relatively stable for six months at last assessment. While prospective studies are required, this case offers further encouraging evidence of ASD reversal through a personalized, multidisciplinary approach focusing predominantly on addressing modifiable environmental and lifestyle risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher R. D’Adamo
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA;
- Documenting Hope, Windsor, CT 06095, USA; (J.L.N.); (M.R.H.); (E.L.); (H.T.R.)
| | - Josephine L. Nelson
- Documenting Hope, Windsor, CT 06095, USA; (J.L.N.); (M.R.H.); (E.L.); (H.T.R.)
| | - Sara N. Miller
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA;
| | - Maria Rickert Hong
- Documenting Hope, Windsor, CT 06095, USA; (J.L.N.); (M.R.H.); (E.L.); (H.T.R.)
| | - Elizabeth Lambert
- Documenting Hope, Windsor, CT 06095, USA; (J.L.N.); (M.R.H.); (E.L.); (H.T.R.)
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Pall ML. Central Causation of Autism/ASDs via Excessive [Ca 2+]i Impacting Six Mechanisms Controlling Synaptogenesis during the Perinatal Period: The Role of Electromagnetic Fields and Chemicals and the NO/ONOO(-) Cycle, as Well as Specific Mutations. Brain Sci 2024; 14:454. [PMID: 38790433 PMCID: PMC11119459 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14050454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The roles of perinatal development, intracellular calcium [Ca2+]i, and synaptogenesis disruption are not novel in the autism/ASD literature. The focus on six mechanisms controlling synaptogenesis, each regulated by [Ca2+]i, and each aberrant in ASDs is novel. The model presented here predicts that autism epidemic causation involves central roles of both electromagnetic fields (EMFs) and chemicals. EMFs act via voltage-gated calcium channel (VGCC) activation and [Ca2+]i elevation. A total of 15 autism-implicated chemical classes each act to produce [Ca2+]i elevation, 12 acting via NMDA receptor activation, and three acting via other mechanisms. The chronic nature of ASDs is explained via NO/ONOO(-) vicious cycle elevation and MeCP2 epigenetic dysfunction. Genetic causation often also involves [Ca2+]i elevation or other impacts on synaptogenesis. The literature examining each of these steps is systematically examined and found to be consistent with predictions. Approaches that may be sed for ASD prevention or treatment are discussed in connection with this special issue: The current situation and prospects for children with ASDs. Such approaches include EMF, chemical avoidance, and using nutrients and other agents to raise the levels of Nrf2. An enriched environment, vitamin D, magnesium, and omega-3s in fish oil may also be helpful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin L Pall
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
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Zhou T, Shen Y, Lyu J, Yang L, Wang HJ, Hong S, Ji Y. Medication Usage Record-Based Predictive Modeling of Neurodevelopmental Abnormality in Infants under One Year: A Prospective Birth Cohort Study. Healthcare (Basel) 2024; 12:713. [PMID: 38610136 PMCID: PMC11011488 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12070713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 03/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Early identification of children with neurodevelopmental abnormality is a major challenge, which is crucial for improving symptoms and preventing further decline in children with neurodevelopmental abnormality. This study focuses on developing a predictive model with maternal sociodemographic, behavioral, and medication-usage information during pregnancy to identify infants with abnormal neurodevelopment before the age of one. In addition, an interpretable machine-learning approach was utilized to assess the importance of the variables in the model. In this study, artificial neural network models were developed for the neurodevelopment of five areas of infants during the first year of life and achieved good predictive efficacy in the areas of fine motor and problem solving, with median AUC = 0.670 (IQR: 0.594, 0.764) and median AUC = 0.643 (IQR: 0.550, 0.731), respectively. The final model for neurodevelopmental abnormalities in any energy region of one-year-old children also achieved good prediction performance. The sensitivity is 0.700 (IQR: 0.597, 0.797), the AUC is 0.821 (IQR: 0.716, 0.833), the accuracy is 0.721 (IQR: 0.696, 0.739), and the specificity is 0.742 (IQR: 0.680, 0.748). In addition, interpretable machine-learning methods suggest that maternal exposure to drugs such as acetaminophen, ferrous succinate, and midazolam during pregnancy affects the development of specific areas of the offspring during the first year of life. This study established predictive models of neurodevelopmental abnormality in infants under one year and underscored the prediction value of medication exposure during pregnancy for the neurodevelopmental outcomes of the offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyi Zhou
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China; (T.Z.); (Y.S.); (J.L.); (H.-J.W.)
- Peking University Health Science Center-Weifang Joint Research Center for Maternal and Child Health, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yaojia Shen
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China; (T.Z.); (Y.S.); (J.L.); (H.-J.W.)
- Peking University Health Science Center-Weifang Joint Research Center for Maternal and Child Health, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Jinlang Lyu
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China; (T.Z.); (Y.S.); (J.L.); (H.-J.W.)
- Peking University Health Science Center-Weifang Joint Research Center for Maternal and Child Health, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Li Yang
- Tongzhou Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Beijing, Beijing 101101, China;
| | - Hai-Jun Wang
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China; (T.Z.); (Y.S.); (J.L.); (H.-J.W.)
- Peking University Health Science Center-Weifang Joint Research Center for Maternal and Child Health, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Shenda Hong
- National Institute of Health Data Science, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China;
| | - Yuelong Ji
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China; (T.Z.); (Y.S.); (J.L.); (H.-J.W.)
- Peking University Health Science Center-Weifang Joint Research Center for Maternal and Child Health, Beijing 100191, China
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Bektas H, Bektas MS, Dasdag S. Effect of mobile phone usage duration during pregnancy on the general motor movements of infants. BIOTECHNOL BIOTEC EQ 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/13102818.2022.2046505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Hava Bektas
- Department of Biophysics, Medical School of Van Yuzuncu Yil University, Van, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Selcuk Bektas
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Lokman Hekim Hospital, Van, Turkey
| | - Suleyman Dasdag
- Department of Biophysics, Medical School of İstanbul Medeniyet University, İstanbul, Turkey
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Bez Y, Kompella S, Summerson A, Coffey BJ. Management of COVID-19 Infection-Associated Flare in an Adolescent with Pediatric Acute Neuropsychiatric Syndrome and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol 2022; 32:368-371. [PMID: 35960228 DOI: 10.1089/cap.2022.29224.bjc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yasin Bez
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Jackson Behavioral Health Hospital, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Sindhura Kompella
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Jackson Behavioral Health Hospital, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Acelyne Summerson
- Department of Psychiatry, HCA Aventura Hospital and Medical Center, Aventura, Florida, USA
| | - Barbara J Coffey
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Jackson Behavioral Health Hospital, Miami, Florida, USA
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GENDER DIFFERENCES IN EFFECTS OF PRENATAL AND POSTNATAL EXPOSURE TO ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD AND PRENATAL ZINC ON BEHAVIOUR AND SYNAPTIC PROTEINS IN RATS. J Chem Neuroanat 2022; 122:102092. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2022.102092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Nizhelska O, Marynchenko L, Piasetskyi V. Biological Risks of Using Non-Thermal Non-Ionizing Electromagnetic Fields. INNOVATIVE BIOSYSTEMS AND BIOENGINEERING 2020. [DOI: 10.20535/ibb.2020.4.2.202452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
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Nakazawa H, Suzuki Y, Ishikawa Y, Bando Y, Yoshida S, Shiosaka S. Impaired social discrimination behavior despite normal social approach by kallikrein-related peptidase 8 knockout mouse. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2019; 162:47-58. [PMID: 31103466 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2019.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2018] [Revised: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
For social mammals, recognition of conspecifics and discrimination of each other (social memory) is crucial to living in a stable colony. Here, we investigated whether kallikrein-related peptidase 8 (KLK8)-neuregulin 1 (NRG1)-ErbB signaling is crucial for social discrimination behavior using the social discrimination three chamber behavioral test. Klk8 knockout mice (NRG1-deactivated mice) exhibited normal social approach but impaired social discrimination. Intraventricular injection of recombinant NRG1177-246 into Klk8 knockout mice reversed this impaired social discrimination. This study reveals that KLK8 is a key regulator of NRG1-ErbB signaling, which contributes to social discrimination behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hitomi Nakazawa
- Department of Functional Anatomy and Neuroscience, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Hokkaido 078-8510, Japan.
| | - Yuka Suzuki
- Department of Systems Life Engineering, Maebashi Institute of Technology, Maebashi, Gunma 371-0816, Japan
| | - Yasuyuki Ishikawa
- Department of Systems Life Engineering, Maebashi Institute of Technology, Maebashi, Gunma 371-0816, Japan
| | - Yoshio Bando
- Department of Anatomy, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, Akita, Akita 010-8543, Japan
| | - Shigetaka Yoshida
- Department of Functional Anatomy and Neuroscience, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Hokkaido 078-8510, Japan
| | - Sadao Shiosaka
- Graduate School of Biological Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST), Ikoma, Nara 630-0192, Japan.
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Calvente I, Vázquez-Pérez A, Fernández MF, Núñez MI, Múñoz-Hoyos A. Radiofrequency exposure in the Neonatal Medium Care Unit. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2017; 152:66-72. [PMID: 27741450 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2016.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2016] [Revised: 09/22/2016] [Accepted: 09/24/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The aims of this study were to characterize electromagnetic fields of radiofrequency (RF-EMF) levels generated in a Neonatal Medium Care Unit and to analyze RF-EMF levels inside unit's incubators. Spot and long-term measurements were made with a dosimeter. The spot measurement mean was 1.51±0.48V/m. Higher values were found in the proximity to the window and to the incubator evaluated. Mean field strength for the entire period of 17h was 0.81 (±0.07)V/m and the maximum value was 1.58V/m for long-term RF-EMF measurements in the incubator. Values found during the night period were higher than those found during the day period. It is important to consider RF-EMF exposure levels in neonatal care units, due to some evidence of adverse health effects found in children and adults. Characterization of RF-EMF exposure may be important to further investigate the mechanisms and underlying effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF) on infant health. A prudent avoidance strategy should be adopted because newborns are at a vulnerable stage of development and the actual impact of EMF on premature infants is unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Calvente
- Unit Research Support of the San Cecilio University Hospital, Biosanitary Institute of Granada (ibs.GRANADA), University Hospitals of Granada/University of Granada, Granada, Spain; Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Av. de la Investigación, 11, torre A, planta 11, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | | | - M F Fernández
- Unit Research Support of the San Cecilio University Hospital, Biosanitary Institute of Granada (ibs.GRANADA), University Hospitals of Granada/University of Granada, Granada, Spain; Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Av. de la Investigación, 11, torre A, planta 11, 18016 Granada, Spain; CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Spain
| | - M I Núñez
- Unit Research Support of the San Cecilio University Hospital, Biosanitary Institute of Granada (ibs.GRANADA), University Hospitals of Granada/University of Granada, Granada, Spain; Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Av. de la Investigación, 11, torre A, planta 11, 18016 Granada, Spain; Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine Institute (IBIMER), University of Granada, Spain; CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Spain.
| | - A Múñoz-Hoyos
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Granada, Spain
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Thornton IM. Out of time: A possible link between mirror neurons, autism and electromagnetic radiation. Med Hypotheses 2006; 67:378-82. [PMID: 16530334 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2006.01.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2006] [Accepted: 01/19/2006] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Recent evidence suggests a link between autism and the human mirror neuron system. In this paper, I argue that temporal disruption from the environment may play an important role in the observed mirror neuron dysfunction, leading in turn to the pattern of deficits associated with autism. I suggest that the developing nervous system of an infant may be particularly prone to temporal noise that can interfere with the initial calibration of brain networks such as the mirror neuron system. The most likely source of temporal noise in the environment is artificially generated electromagnetic radiation. To date, there has been little evidence that electromagnetic radiation poses a direct biological hazard. It is clear, however, that time-varying electromagnetic waves have the potential to temporally modulate the nervous system, particularly when populations of neurons are required to act together. This modulation may be completely harmless for the fully developed nervous system of an adult. For an infant, this same temporal disruption might act to severely delay or disrupt vital calibration processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian M Thornton
- Psychology Department, University of Wales Swansea, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, Wales, UK.
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