More handpicked essays just for you.
Research paper topics on autism
Autism spectrum disorder research study
Autism spectrum disorder research study
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
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 …show more content…
(UPL’s) in the urine, as abnormally high levels could indicate fewer peptides being turned into amino acids (Mulloy et al). Because of this, research involving the effect of a GFCF diet on UPL’s will be included in evaluating the effectiveness of the diet. In one study, by Knivsberg et al, “a diagnosis of autism and the presence of urinary patterns of peptides” were required for participation in the study.” (Millward et al,) meaning that each participant already had abnormal peptide levels before implementing the diet.
In this study, ten children were put on the diet, while ten remained controls(Knivsberg et al), the study showed a statistically significant reduction in mean number of autistic traits, as well a greater increase of linguistic age compared to the control group, and the diet group had a decrease in motor problems, which was significant compared to the increase seen in the control group. (Millward et al.) Urinary peptides were not measured after implementation of the diet. Another study, Cade et al, evaluated 70 children with autism and compared their urinary peptide levels to non-autistic controls, they were on average significantly higher (Cade et al). Cade et al’s study also noted significant improvement in social isolation, eye contact, speech, learning skills, hyperactivity, stereotypical activity, panic attacks, and self-mutilation in 81% of the children, after three months to a year on the diet. (Cade et al.) Five of the children who had not improved on the diet had their UPL levels retested and they were shown to still be elevated (Cade et al), despite dietary intervention. However, once again the children who had reported improvement on the diet did not have UPL’s retested, so it is possible that they continued to have elevated UPL’s. Despite the findings of these two studies, a third study, by Elder et al’s double blind study tested UPL’s at multiple points during the trials and found no significant differences in UPL’s (Elder et al.). This study also saw no significant differences within group data evaluating behaviors on the CARS or ECOS
scales.
Michael Pollan, an American author, journalist, activist, and professor of journalism at the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism (Michael Pollan), writes in his book In Defense of Food, the dangers of nutritionism and how to escape the Western diet and subsequently most of the chronic diseases the diet imparts. In the chapter “Nutritionism Defined” Pollan defines the term nutritionism. Pollan’s main assertion being how the ideology of nutritionism defines food as the sum of its nutrients, and from this viewpoint Pollan goes on to write how nutritionism divides food into two categories, with each macronutrient divided against each other as either bad or good nutrients, in a bid for focus of our food fears and enthusiasms. Finally, Pollan concludes that with the relentless focus nutritionism places on nutrients and their interplay distinctions between foods become irrelevant and abandoned.
The question comes up again; “How is your diet?” Jessica revisited her diet analysis from the first week of class. She noticed that some things have changed and some things, unfortunately, have not changed. She knew that some things would not change because of the hectic and busy semester and summer she had ahead of her but the things that did change surprised her. This class did some good for her, but she still needs some work on her diet and nutrition.
...a casein-free diet was 19.9ng⁄mL, for participants not on a casein-free diet it was 19.6ng⁄mL, and for controls it was 17ng⁄mL. There were no differences in the measurements of 25 (OH) D in all groups. About sixty-one percent, fifty-four children, had concentrations of less than 20ng⁄mL. This is the minimum concentration recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics to ensure good bone health. These children could be at risk for problems associated with vitamin D deficiency. This includes concerns with bone health and calcium and phosphorus metabolism. Children with autism spectrum disorder are limited to what activities they can do and usually are not exposed to much sunlight causing them to be at a greater risk. Understanding the needs and taking preventive measures for children with autism will help reduce the risk of health problems as they enter adulthood.
The Western Diet mainly consists of fried foods, refined grains, sugar, high carbohydrate and fats, and meats (3). It has been hypothesized that having a Western Diet increases one’s chances for developing depression. There has been a great deal of research into why the western diet increase’s one chance of having depression. A common sense reason maybe that the Western Diet consisted of large amounts carbohydrates, fats and sugars which promotes obesity and then causes depression (1). More scientific evidence suggest that having a improper diet like the Western Diet negatively affects peripheral and central dopamine, which are neurotransmitters (chemical which transmit signals across the synapse from the nerve cell to the target cell) directly linked to the mental health of the brain and are negatively affected by high fat diets (4). Research has also suggested that having a poor nutrition status such as lacking folate (a natural water form of vitamin bg which is crucial for many of the bodies processes) and key vitamins like vitamin b12 significantly increases the risk of depression in elderly people (5). Research into the topic of dietary habits and mental health is very crucial with the growing rates of obesity and depression in the United States compared to the rest of the world. Thus, does having poor dietary habits increase the likelihood of having depression? The likelihood of developing depression has been linked to the type of diet one consumes such as the Western Diet, Diets Low in Fat and Carbohydrates and weight control diets like binge eating.
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that effects the brains development. It is characterized by affecting communication, cognition and social interaction. The spectrum of the disorders ranges from a mild condition called Asperger’s syndrome to a more severe form, which severely impairer’s development. The Office of Communications and Public Liaison states that the disorder affects one and eighty-eight children, however ASD effects boys more frequently than girls (Office of Communications and Public Liaison, 2013). ASD emerges in all age, ethnic and socioeconomic groups. The significant varied character and severity of the disorder is why ASD is considered a spectrum that poses a broad range of symptoms.
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...
Temple Grandin, a doctor in the field of animal sciences who suffers from Autism, once said, “People are always looking for that single magic bullet that will totally change everything. There is no single magic bullet.” Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a general term for a group of complex disorders of brain development. The Autism Spectrum can be split into many subtypes, including Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, Asperger’s Syndrome, and Pervasive Development Disorder- Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS). Starting from an age as young as infancy, symptoms of Autism may be conveyed. Repetitive behavior, any loss of speech or social skills, and attachment to parents are three of the many symptoms expressed by children with Autism (“What is Autism?”). In order to improve theses symptoms, many types of treatments have been established. First are the Behavior and Communication Approaches, which include Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), and different sorts of therapy. Other treatments include dietary approaches, medication, and Complimentary and Alternative treatments. Based on the developed treatments, the early intervention Behavior and Communication Approaches exhibit the most benefits to children diagnosed with autism.
“The Benefits of Skinner's Analysis of Verbal Behavior for Children with Autism” Behav Modif., by Sundberg, ML, and Michael J., published in 2001, summarized Oct 19, 2006
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.
As the prevalence of Autism continues to grow rapidly, it is proven fact that Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the United States. “On March 27, 2014, this surveillance study identified one in sixty-eight children (one in forty-two boys and one in one-hundred eighty-nine girls) as having Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).” (DSM-IV, 2000). Eight-hundred thousand people younger than eighteen years are on record as having Autism Spectrum Disorder in the United States. Most children display abnormalities within the first year of life; although most are diagnosed with Autism between the ages of two and three. Boys are nearly five times more likely than girls to have Autism. However, females with the disorder are more feasible to exhibit serious mental retardation. There are “approximately seventy-five percent of children with Autism are mentally handicapped; meaning their IQ ranges from thirty-five to fifty. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV (DSM-IV, 2000) research suggests that only a small percentage of individuals with Autistic Disorder go on as adults to live and work independently.” ( DSM-IV, 2000)
A million types of fad diets promising people to lose weight by using drugs or specific diet plans such as 5:2, paleo, hormone cure, virgin, bulletproof. Moreover, each type of fad diets has own specific style. Studies show that 108 million people in US following fad diets (ABC News Staff, 2012). The fad diets are the same as fashion that people use it enthusiastically for a period of time to give them beauty, elegant and perfect appearance. A fad diet is the most dangerous type of diet and it causes many health problems. This paper will look at two areas, which are physical and mental problems. Fad diets is becoming more popular because the consumers spend a huge amount of their money to follow specific type of diets to lose their weight
In the 1950’s many psychoanalysts who followed the Freudian belief system, argued that the condition of autism came from the parents withdrawing from the newborn child. The mother’s mostly being blamed for the infant’s condition. The name they choose for these dysfunctional mother’s was “refrigerator mother’s”, due there cold hearted nature. These women were told that they needed to pay more attention to their children or that they were disciplining them too harshly. Still, there are some theories that are being looked at in the recent years. Such as family genetics that is passed down from one parent to the child and there may also be environmental reasons. No one knows exactly how the environment has caused ADS; some theorize that vaccines are to blame for a sudden onset of ADS. Namely the measles vaccine is said to cause autism by damaging the lining of the stomach. Thimerosal is a preservative found in vaccines it contains mercury and has been linked to this disease. It has also been theorized that receiving too many vaccines at one time damages the immune system therefore causing autism. Research studies with family genetics have been done to identify how many genes are associated with ADS. These studies have revealed irregularities in parts of the brain in people suspected of having ADS. Also there has been a link to low levels of serotonin or other neurotransmitters in the brain that are needed to maintain
Most Americans do not care enough to take a look at the nutritional values of the food that he or she is consuming. That is why America has the highest percentage of obesity in the world. This is a serious problem because one in every three adults is obese, and one in every six children is obese. There are many factors that go into the regular American diet, but most of those factors are not appealing nor is it healthy. Americans put way too much processed food into their daily diet. Some would say that other countries diets superior the American diet because of nutritional values that it carries. Other countries have proven that an active lifestyle is a huge element in the average weight of the country. There are many things that Americans could change about their diets and lifestyle that would help them to become healthier.
Obesity in the United States is a major issue. Because there is such a high obesity rate, there have been so many diets established to try and reduce these constantly rising rates. A lot of these weight-loss diets that have been established are known as fad diets. A fad diet is a diet that becomes popular quickly, and may die out just as quickly. In the United States, there are some popular and healthy fad diets such as the Atkins diet, the South Beach diet, and Weight Watchers.
Fads diets deliver immediate results in weight management, which helps in preventing weight-related health issues. This helps in reducing the risks of hypertension, diabetes and heart diseases.