New Frontiers In Autism Research Sonia Bathija Biocon-KGI Certificate Program in Applied Life Sciences Summary Autism is a neural development disorder characterized by impaired social interaction and repetitive behaviour. These signs all begin before the child is Three years old. Although there is no permanent cure, there are reported cases of children being recovered. At present no definitive cause has been identified for autism, although genetic and environmental factors are now being considered and studied as possible causative factors. This review paper also discusses about glutathione, which is one of the most important anti-oxidants of the body, especially essential in the process of detoxification of the liver. About 80% of children suffering from autism have reduced levels of glutathione, which increase the levels of oxidative stress which can damage cells in the brain and immune system. Using Bio-informatics, I intended to design a drug that can compensate the reduced levels of glutathione protein and thus, be used in the treatment of autism. Keywords : Autism, glutathione protein drug designing , Bio-informatics , lack of non-verbal communication, avoid people’s gaze, unusual gestures, stacking things, Genetic Disorder, Gut Microbiome, Neural disorder, Psychiatry, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). ___________________________________________________________________ Introduction Autism is found in 1 out of every 15,000 children in this world. It is referred as an inability to socialize or interact with people, either of the same age / different ages. Usually appearing in the age group 3-5 years, this disorder has many symptoms. No blood test or scan can be used to identify this disease. In 1943, Dr. Leo Kanner (Johns Hopki... ... middle of paper ... ...e of naive lipoic acid as viewed in maestro module of schrodinger software. Figure 3 : Figure 3 shows the structure of the prepared protein along with the ligand depicted in green colour. Figure 4 : Figure 4 shows the receptor / active site surface region of the protein As a part of my interest during my 4 year course of engineering, I was working with lipoic acid using Bio-Informatics tried to find an active site in the lipolic acid which could possibly cause an increase in production of glutathione in the body. Ligand that fits into the receptor or active site region can be helpful to be able to design a drug for increasing the production of glutathione which in turn would generate a drug to cure autism. It was possible using the software, but how ingestion of supplements of lipoic acid could practically affect a person with autism has yet to be determined.
The opioid excess theory is one of the main theories surrounding the GFCF diet as an intervention for autism. The theory states that children with ASD have lower levels of enzyme activity and that this causes fewer gluten or casein peptides from being broken down into amino acids, these peptides then leak into the bloodstream and bind to opioid neuro-receptors, which then causes behaviors associated with ASD. However, there are mixed results from studies evaluating whether this is actually the case, (Mulloy et al). There have been a variety of different studies on the effect of a gluten and casein free diet on autism. Likewise, there is a large variety in the results of these studies. Some studies have looked at urinary peptides levels
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can be detected early in a child’s life. ASD is a developmental disorder classified by problems with social interaction,
In the United States, the most common age to be diagnosed with autism is at the age of 4. For the most common gender to be diagnosed with autism is males. Thanks to today’s
Office of Communications and Public Liaison. (2013, November 6). NIH. Retrieved from National Institute of Neurological Disorder and Stroke: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/autism/detail_autism.htm#243513082
There is no known single cause of autism. Researchers are investigating a number of possible theories including genetics, heredity, medical problems, problems during pregnancy or delivery, as well as environmental influences. It is widely accepted that it is caused by abnormalities in the brain structure or function. There is evidence from neuropathological studies that autism has its origins in abnormal brain development early in prenatal life which continues postnatally, showing acceleration in brain growth measured by head circumference (Zwaigenbaum, L., Bryson, S., Rogers, T., Roberts, W., Brian, J., & Szatmari, P., 2005). The disorder also seems to have a genetic basis, although researchers have yet to find the specific genes that link to the onset of autism. There could be a cluster of genes that have somehow interfered with normal brain development and function. Studies show that twins of children with autism were more likely to be autistic themselves than the regular population, demonstrating there is a heredity lin...
Since the 1960s when Bernard Rimland initiated research into the use of vitamin B6 alongside magnesium a high proportion of people on the autistic spectrum have benefited from taking more vitamin B6. It is important however, to recognize that only those on the autistic spectrum with a need for Vitamin B6 in particular will benefit from this treatment.
The Autism Spectrum is a mystery. With no cause or cure, researchers have been working hard, to the best of their abilities, to diagnose, treat, and educate those with autism. For centuries, since 1943, with enhanced technology, the view on autism has improved tremendously. New advancements have been developed to diagnose autism earlier, help create more successful treatments, and to help better an educational plan for people with autism.
Autism is a general term for a group of complex disorders of brain development. The Autism spectrum is vast and varies in degree of severity from person to person. The challenges that come with Autism Disorder include difficulty in social interactions, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors. Autism has been a diagnosable disorder since 1951. Treatment options have changed since the first diagnosis. Available treatment today has advanced over the sixty-three year span and has become the best possible form of treatment available for Autism.
What is Autism? People are quick to label people as Autistic but very rarely understand what it means though they may nod their head and say "ohh makes sense". Autism - also know as ASD, Autism Spectrum Disorder- is a complex developmental disorder affecting primarily ones communication and social interaction skills. Meaning they have difficulties communicating effectively or even at all. They struggle in social setting and don 't typically excel in social games or activities.
Understanding autism, which is professionally known as Autism Spectrum Disorder, otherwise known as (ADS) can be a difficult task, especially for someone who is not trained in helping persons with disabilities. The first person to discover autism was a child psychiatrist, Dr. Leo Kanner in 1943. He names the spectrum disorder after the Greek word autos, meaning of or for oneself, due to the way the child display social avoidance. Many doctors’ believed in the past that autism was caused by the way the mother not caring for her child properly or ignoring him or her. There was also a time when it was thought to be caused by certain environmental stresses that cause neurological issues within the brain. Autism is one of the most misunderstood
Two to six children out of every thousand will end up with Autism. Autism is one of the fastest growing disorders with a great amount of studies being put behind it. With its vast amount of different signs and symptoms, different forms, how its treated, and arguments about how exactly the disorder came to be , Austin can very well be one of the most confusing, and researched disorders, for its a disorder that stirs up tons of questions but yet gets hardly any answers. Autism is usually developed between ages of one and three, it effects communication and how the child interacts with others. It is defined by behaviors of the child and “ spectrum disorders” that re different with each person. (About Autism, 2008, para 1). Symptoms of autism can very in many different ways, and even different categories. Take the category of social interaction and relationships symptoms include : non verbal communication development problems such as , eye - to - eye gazing, body language, and facial expressions, failure to make friends with people their own age, lack of interest, and lack of empathy. The category for verbal and non verbal symptoms include : Delay or lack when learning to talk, about forty person of people with autism never speak, problems with starting, and keeping conversations, repetitive use of language, and difficulty understanding what someone is saying. Finally the category of interests and play include : unusual focus on pieces, preoccupation on certain topics, a need for the same routine, and stereotyped behaviors like hand flapping and body rocking.
A mental illness is a medical condition that disrupts a person's thinking, feeling, moods, ability to relate to others and daily functioning. One form of a mental illness is called Autism also known as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This is a spectrum disorder meaning it can affect everyone differently. Autism is a complex developmental disability that primarily becomes visible during the first three years of life and is the outcome of a neurological disorder that impacts the normal functioning of the brain. Thus, impacting development in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. “Autism which is also termed as autism spectrum disorders or ASD is a wide range or spectrum of brain disorders that is usually noticed in young children that decreases the individual's ability to communicate and relate emotionally to others. This disability may range from mild to severe.” (Charman) Both children and adults with autism typically show difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and play activities. Where did the world of Autism come from? This term has been around for a little over a hundred years and stems from the Greek word “autos” which means self. The word gives a run down of how a person is removed from social interactions thus being secluded. The word was first used in 1911 by a psychiatrist while referring to a group of symptoms of schizophrenia. About 30 years later researchers from the United States started using the term to describe children with social or emotional problems. Autism is one the fastest growing mental illnesses in the United States. It “is a disability that can make daily activities difficult. One out of ten autistics cannot speak, nine out often have no regula...
Autism usually occurs within the first three years of life, and drastically affects the development of a child. It is also the fastest growing developmental disorder in the United States (Autism Project, 2014). One out of eighty- eight children is diagnosed with Autism, and boys are five times more likely to be diagnosed (ASDS 2013). Many areas of development are affected by autism. This is a disease that disturbs the brains normal development of communication, social interaction, and sensory processing (Inc 2013).
Autism is a disorder characterized by significant problems in communication and social functioning. Autism is actually called Autism Spectrum Disorder and encompasses a broad range disabilities such as Asperger syndrome, Rett’s Syndrome, and Pervavasive Development Disorder (Dunlap & Fox, n.d.). There are also varying degrees of the disorder from low-functioning (no communication and no social interaction) to high-functioning (some communication and inappropriate but existent social skills.)
Autism is characterized as a developmental disorder that is seen in children by the age of three years old. Autism affects the brains normal, natural development, and causes many impairments. The major impairments that affect an individual are reciprocal socialization, Qualitative impairment in communication, and repetitive or unusual behavior. Signs of Autism can be seen in early infanthood, with proper awareness and resources. An infant child can appear to be adverse to eye contact early on. Some signs in early infancy appear as being indifferent to affection and physical contact. When spoken to, they can appear to be deaf or ignoring the parent or caregiver. Noticing the early red flags of Autism can provide an early intervention and give the child the best chance at learning to tolerate their environment. Children around three years old will display certain signs and symptoms.