Goal For The Green

Para-education and green living information

It Happens Every 18 Minutes !

Aug-6-2008 By Barbara Rae

In the United States, there is a baby born every 18 minutes that will acquire autism.  In most cases it makes itself known before the age of three. The statistics are alarming, and the increase in diagnosed cases has risen dramatically in the last twenty years. Still scientists don’t know exactly what causes the mysterious developmental brain disorder, and there is no cure. It is believed that both genetic and environmental factors could be to blame.

In a recent study, John’s Hopkins University neurologist, Harvey Springer, wondered if mother’s of autistic children might produce immune protein (antibodies) that react with or possibly harm their baby’s brains during pregnancy.

Other studies have linked autism to the immune system, in particular to auto immune reactions. In some cases of auto immune reactions, the body’s own defenses mistakenly attack native tissue. It is known that Autistic people are more likely to make antibodies against their own brain cells. Auto immune disorders such as type 1 diabetes, are also more common in mothers of autistic children.

In his most recent study Dr. Springer and his team, collected blood samples from 200 participants. There were 100 mothers of children with moderate to severe autism, as well as 100 mothers of healthy children. They only extracted antibodies that could cross the placenta during pregnancy. Then they tested those antibodies against the proteins from human fetal brain tissue. They discovered that the blood from the mothers of autistic children reacted to at least two fetal brain proteins. However, all the mothers tested had similar reactions to each other, against other proteins that were tested.

It is Dr. Singer’s hope that “These immune factors may help trigger or turn on some underlying or potential problem.” It is not yet known the role that brain proteins play during development, nor is it known whether the maternal antibodies in any way influence their function. Dr. Singer’s team will be investigating these questions (in his ongoing study) by injecting pregnant mice with human maternal antibodies to determine if their offspring show any developmental problems.

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Posted in: Autism, Disabilities, Health, Research
  1. » It Happens Every 18 Minutes ! Said,

    [...] Read the rest of this great post here [...]

  2. no imageKoe Whitton-Williams (Check me out!) Said,

    Thanks for sending me the link to the posting. There will be a cure someday and every bit of research and every conversation and every internet posting and every swimming lesson for an autistic child will be part of the solution. Koe.

    Koe Whitton-Williamss last blog post..Learning to Swim

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  3. no imageBarbara (Check me out!) Said,

    Hi Koe,

    You are so very right!..Thanks for stopiing by and leaving your comment.

    Rate this:
    		3.2
  4. no imagePeacock & Paisley (Check me out!) Said,

    Thanks for covering this extremely important topic.

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  5. no imageAn American in France (Check me out!) Said,

    I wish there was a way to find out what’s causing this. I’ve been hearing that it’s on the rise, so there’s got to be a cause. I think there may be some things in the foods we eat that could cause it. I try to eat healthfully and hope that when I have children that they will be healthy.

    An American in Frances last blog post..A Course in French Food

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  6. no imageBrad (Check me out!) Said,

    Hi Barbara!

    Do you know if there are any studies out there about nutritional interventions for autism?

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  7. no imageBarbara (Check me out!) Said,

    Hi Peacock and Paisley,

    I work with DD adults most of whom are autistic. Thanks for your comment and please do stop by again !

    Rate this:
    		3.2
  8. no imageBarbara (Check me out!) Said,

    An American in France,

    Just keep doing what you are doing and pray for the best. There could be environmental factors involved with autism, but the cause is still a big question.
    Try to eat as fresh and pesticide free ..or organic if possible!

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  9. no imageBarbara (Check me out!) Said,

    Hi Brad,

    I don’t know of any current nutritional studies concerning autism. I will research that.
    Many people have had good success by following a gluten free diet. Lots of fresh fruits and vegetables are very important.. and of course organic and pesticide free is best..
    also avoid processed food.. but that is true for anybody!

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  10. no imageDiane Scott (Check me out!) Said,

    Excellent post! I’m of a mind to wonder if it isn’t environmental myself. You’ve got to hope that while researchers are searching for causes and cures that they are taking all factors into consideration.

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  11. no imagegreen blog (Check me out!) Said,

    When I read this, there’s only one thing that came to my mind. We certainly can’t do anything about genetics but we can certainly change if it involves environment factors. I hope we all realize on this and I really feel sorry for the babies. It is something that all of us should be aware of.

    green blogs last blog post..Five Totally Awesome Products Geeks Can Use To Go Green

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  12. no imageBarbara (Check me out!) Said,

    Hi Diane,

    Thank-You. Yes, I’m sure scientist and researchers are taking all things into consideration. I believe they have to because it is just so baffling and different from person to person in degree of its severity. It would seem that somehow the environment would be a factor… I hope they find answers soon!

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  13. no imageBarbara (Check me out!) Said,

    Hi green blog,

    Thanks for stopping by. I totally agree with you. If there are environmental factors involved we better do something about it. Every eighteen minutes and 1 in every 150 children is not acceptable statistics. It is happening way too often!

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  14. no imageLinda (Check me out!) Said,

    Many people have had good success by following a gluten free diet. Lots of fresh fruits and vegetables are very important..

    I believe that this statement alone will bring about more information as to why this is occurring
    and will show how our foods may be the real issue.

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  15. no imageBarbara (Check me out!) Said,

    Hi Linda,

    Thanks for stopping by! Yes, I do think our food, a good diet and environmental issues
    are a big issue, not just for autism, but for everyone.

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  16. no imageWealth and Success (Check me out!) Said,

    Thanks for the informative post.. and thanks for adding our comment to the blog. I am subscribing to your feed so I don\’t miss the next post!

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  17. no imageBarbara (Check me out!) Said,

    Wealth and Success,

    Thank -You for your comment and for subscribing !

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  18. no imageWealth Building (Check me out!) Said,

    Great post! I searched for a while to find the right answer to my questions!

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  19. no imageBarbara (Check me out!) Said,

    Dear Wealth Building,

    Thanks for the comment. Glad I could be of help!

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