Sept. 19, 2002 -- It's something many parents know: If a
child is autistic, keeping milk and wheat out of the diet helps tame
symptoms. But now, scientists think they understand why.
A new study seems to unlock an important piece the
puzzle, indicating a link with the immune system.
Autism is a complex syndrome that appears in early
childhood; autistic children have difficulties in language development,
social interactions, and repetitive patterns of behavior -- such as
banging their head against the wall. Whereas a genetic predisposition
puts children at high risk of developing autism, scientists have long
debated the other triggers that cause the disorder.
Recent studies have shown that children who drink less
(or no) milk -- and eat fewer (or no) wheat products -- have improvement
in symptoms. They have better social contact, less self-harm (such as
head banging), and fewer "dreamy state" periods. Other studies have
pointed to environmental toxins -- specifically bacterial and viral
infections -- as triggers, says Aristo Vojdani, assistant research
professor in neurobiology at UCLA and director of Immunosciences Lab
Inc. in Beverly Hills, Calif.
"My study puts the pieces together, how infection
produces autism symptoms," he tells WebMD.
His study appears in the August issue of the Journal
of Neuroimmunology.
ALL INFORMATION, DATA, AND
MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION
PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS REFLECTING THE KNOWLEDGE OR OPINIONS
OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR
LEGAL ADVICE. THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND
COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU ALONE, IN CONSULTATION WITH
YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.