Difference between revisions of "Controversies"
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Large studies on the distribution and control of diseases show that there is no association between the MMR vaccine and autism. Additionally, even though Japan has withdrawn the MMR vaccine, the occurrence of autism has still continue to increase. | Large studies on the distribution and control of diseases show that there is no association between the MMR vaccine and autism. Additionally, even though Japan has withdrawn the MMR vaccine, the occurrence of autism has still continue to increase. | ||
| − | + | =====Celiac Disease Variants, yeast overgrowth,fungal overgrowth and immunologic abnormalities===== | |
In these theories, opioidlike peptides that come from gluten and casein are absorbed through a "leaky gut" and cause symptoms of autism in the child. In this therapy, children with autism are given strict gluten and casein free diets to stop the absorption of opioidlike peptides. | In these theories, opioidlike peptides that come from gluten and casein are absorbed through a "leaky gut" and cause symptoms of autism in the child. In this therapy, children with autism are given strict gluten and casein free diets to stop the absorption of opioidlike peptides. | ||
Revision as of 13:04, 31 March 2009
Controversial Alternative Therapies
Hypothesis
There are many controversial and unsubstantiated theories of causation of ASDs and ineffective treatments in children with autism. Patients with serious levels of deficits and limited success with evidenced based treatments are particularly vulnerable to the placebo effect and thus more likely to falsely be persuaded that these treatments work. Below are some popular hypothesis which are unsubstantiated.
Chelation Therapy
Supporters of Chelation Therapy claim that autism stems from an excess in mercury and other metals in the body. In particular, they believe that the inclusion of mercury containing thimerosal in certain vaccines leads to an excess of mercury in the body which causes neurologic damage and subsequently autism. Thimerosal is included in vaccines to protect multiple-dose virals from bacterial and fungal contamination. '
Why this is unlikely No children with autism have been reported to have an elevated mercury levels or an excess of mercury in hair, urine, or blood through laboratory tests. Additionally, the clinical signs and symptoms of mercury-induced neurologic damage and the neuropatholgic changes associated with mercury exposure are NOT the same as the clinical signs and symptoms of autism. Furthermore, population based studies show that the risk of autism in children given thimerosal containing vaccines are the same as children given vaccines without thimerosal. Futhermore, in 1992 thimerosal was removed from childhood vaccines in Denmark, but the occurrence of autism has continued to rise in Denmark. If vaccines containing thimerosal caused autism, we would expect a drop in cases of ASD. Moreover, even IF thimerosal was related to the incidence of autism, there is no evidence that chelation therapy improves heavy metal toxicity.
Dangers There is a risk of renal and hepatic toxic adverse effects for children undergoing chelation therapy.
Measles, Mumps, Rubella vaccine (MMR)
Advocates of this hypothesis say that the MMR vaccine produces enterocolitis, or inflammation of the intestines, thereby causing a "leaky gut" which allows for increased absorption of peptides that work like endogenous opiods on the brain to produce autistic symptoms in a child.
Why this is unlikely Large studies on the distribution and control of diseases show that there is no association between the MMR vaccine and autism. Additionally, even though Japan has withdrawn the MMR vaccine, the occurrence of autism has still continue to increase.
Celiac Disease Variants, yeast overgrowth,fungal overgrowth and immunologic abnormalities
In these theories, opioidlike peptides that come from gluten and casein are absorbed through a "leaky gut" and cause symptoms of autism in the child. In this therapy, children with autism are given strict gluten and casein free diets to stop the absorption of opioidlike peptides.
Why this is unlikely According to studies, children with autism do not have an increased rate of celiac disease and do not have excessive amounts of opioidlike compounds in their urine, as would be expected if children with ASD were absorbing abnormal amounts of opioidlike peptides. Fungal overgrowth has not been seen in children with autism.
Dangers Antifungal medications for the fungal overgrowth hypothesis have been shown to not improve autistic behavior. These drugs are also associated with liver toxicity, anemia, diarrhea, and exfoliative dermatitis.
Autoimmune Disorder
The hypothesis that autism is an autoimmune disorder
- References
1. Barbaresi et. al. Autism: A Review of the State of the Science for Pediatric Primary Health Care Clinicians. Arch Pediatr adolesc med/Vol. 160, Nov 2006. pg. 1171
Related Information
- Task or test associated with this construct (vote for your favorite, or nominate a new one by editing this page)
- Indicators (dependent variables, conditions, or contrasts; measurement variables used for analysis) associated with this construct (vote or nominate by editing this page):
- Closely related pages (vote or nominate related pages by editing this page):
- CNP Level (What's this?)
- Cognitive Concept
External Resources
- Links out:
- Wikipedia: Cognitive Control
- Google: Cognitive Control
- PubMed: Cognitive Control
- -ucla cognitive atlas- (coming soon!)
- Database links
