August 1, 2004

SUMMARY OF DAN MEETING

At the last two DAN meetings that took place in Portland, OR October 2003 and Tysons Corner, VA April 2004 excellent information about the biomedical causes of Autism were introduced as well as biomedical therapies that are helping a number of children with Autism.

To summarize various speakers including Dr. Jill James, Richard Deff, John Pangborn discussed the basic defects in autistic children. These include:

• Defect in methylation
• Oxidative stress

Oxidative stress is caused by environmental factors such as heavy metal toxicity.

A specific number of children are affected by genetics as well as genetic vulnerability. This includes children who are more prone to be affected by environmental toxins, maternal ingestion of seafood such as shark, swordfish and tuna, vaccines, antibiotics and dental amalgams. In addition, there is a 30% incidence of low muscle tone, increased % of growth failure and the rate of GI issues is approximately 60% versus 2% for normal children.

The incidents of Autism has dramatically increased from 1 in 2000 to the current rate of 1 in 200. Some believe this rate is even as low as 1 to 150. The ratio of male to female remains at 4 to 1.

There are specific defects in the biochemistry of autistic children. Issues with the methionine pathway include methionine synthetase being the key enzyme involved. Details about defects of transulferation, methylation and the importance of cystine, homocystine and glutathione were pointed out at both DAN meetings.

Methylation is affected by Mercury, Arsenic, Cadmium and Antimony. These metals affect the key enzyme methionine synthetase.

Dr. Jeff Bradstreet presented excellent information about genomic epidemiology which specifically identifies risk factors and disease.

Regarding therapies, Methyl B-12 was reported by Dr. Neubrander to help 75% of autistic children with 50% of the 75% of the children who improved having major benefits. This essentially means that in Dr. Neubrander’s study approximately 37.5% of children have an excellent benefit to injections of Methyl B-12. Other interventions discussed at the meeting that have a high rate of success are the use of TMG, Folinic Acid and B-12. According to Dr. Jill James’s study TMG regulates glutathione; Methyl B-12 affects homocystine and TMG affects both methylation and homocystine. According to Dr. James, children with Autism Spectrum Disorder have low levels of methionine, cystine and glutathione.

The best intervention continues to be diet. It still appears that the casein free diet for one month followed by a gluten free diet for three months is the standard. A number children benefit with the additional avoidance of soybean and corn.

At the DAN meeting in April 2004 five parents discussed the benefits of the Specific Carbohydrate Diet which emphasizes carbohydrate restriction and the intake of meats, vegetables and nuts. The book to read on this subject is Elaine Gottschall’s “Breaking the Vicious Cycle.”

For more detail about Dr. Dr. Jill James’s study, she found the protective effect of cystine and glutathione against Thimerosal-induced neurotoxicity. Her study included 20 autistic children who received TMG 1000 micrograms plus Folinic Acid 800 micrograms twice daily for three weeks. There was a significant increase in plasma methionine, cystine and glutathione levels in these children. Many normalized through methylation and precursors to sulfate detox pathways. According to Dr. James, 75% showed a slow and consistent improvement in autistic symptoms; however, side effects were fairly frequent with the most common being hyperactivity, insomnia and loose stools. In Dr. James’s study the addition of Methyl B-12 64.5 micrograms three times weekly improved the 75% rate with TMG and Folinic Acid up to 90%. Dr. James confirmed that methionine synthatase is the key enzyme that takes the biggest hit with Mercury heavy metal toxicity.

Dr. McCandless presented the lab work that should be considered in evaluating children who have ASD who have been affected by biomedical insults. Immunoscience Lab Panel is called “McCandless Comprehensive ASD immune panel” and costs approximately $700 prepaid and includes a comprehensive viral panel, myelin basic protein panel and IgG/IgM Rubeolla.

I personally have found the IgG Rubeolla to be a helpful test in identifying who may have been impacted with the measles injury.

Dr. McCandless has recommended Transdermal Monalaurin and the use of an antiviral when the Measles Titer is elevated.

Chelation continues to be controversial. As of April 2003 a number of DAN doctors were using the combination of Methyl B-12 sub q every three days followed by IV Glutathione and then TTFD in monthly intervals. Others have stuck to DMSA followed by Alpha Lipoic Acid. Alternative approaches included the use of Metal Free, which incorporates a group of alternative chelators such as cilantro, chlorella, probiotics and Glutathione.

After the DAN meeting in April Dr. Rashid Buttar, who is Vice Chairman of the American Board of Clinical Metal Toxicology. Dr. Buttar mentioned in his paper that the rate of autism has increased from 1 in 10,000 late 1970’s to 1 in 175 children representing a 5700% increase in 30 years. Dr. Buttar has recommended transdermal DMPS as the chelator of choice to be used every other day. The Buttar protocol will be reviewed at the next DAN meeting in October 2004.