Aspies For Freedom

Veenstra-VanderWeele J, Cook EH. 1Department of Psychiatry, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.

We are on the brink of exciting discoveries into the moleculargenetic underpinnings of autism spectrum disorder. Overwhelming evidence of genetic involvement coupled with increased societal attention to the disorder has drawn in more researchers and more research funding. Autism is a strongly genetic yet strikingly complex disorder, in which evidence from different cases supports chromosomal disorders, rare single gene mutations, and multiplicative effects of common gene variants. With more and more interesting yet sometimes divergent findings emerging every year, it is tempting to view these initial molecularstudies as so much noise, but the data have also started to coalesce in certain areas.

In particular, recent studies in families with autism spectrum disorder have identified uncommon occurrences of a novel genetic syndrome caused by disruptions of the NLGN4 gene on chromosome Xp22. Previous work had identified another uncommon syndrome that is caused by maternal duplications of the chromosome 15q11-13 region.

We highlight other converging findings, point toward those areas most likely to yield results, and emphasize the contributions of multiple approaches to identifying the genes of interest.

Molecular Psychiatry advance online publication, 15 June 2004

I wonder if these studies will find anything good about Autism or Aspergers or do you think they will adhere to the funders wishes (this is how it's usually done for clinical trails) and only publish evidence to make us look like poor little ill creatures that need curing rather then accepting that we different to them.

I would add that we are in front of a rumor of the auto-proclamed scientific community, which is the exact opposite of scientific demonstration. Pay attention to this: they are always repeating about neuro-diversity, even when the discourse does not need that declaration. To me it is plainly fake, even if sometime comfortable. DSM IV is more a marketing tool (diagnostic-statistic) for pharmaceutics and cures, than a repertory of scientific demonstrations.

My family are participating in the international molecular genetic study - these findings contradict some of the things we've learned during the four years we've been taking part.

They also fail to mention that in addition to the 15q11-13 duplications, there is also a common 22q11 deletion which can mean hypo or hyper thyroidism and other problems.  Along with leaky gut and food intolerances there is also a condition called Pyroluria, which can be detected via a urine sample like leaky gut and can be helped by taking Zinc, B6 and Omega oils.

I think until people stop the individual molecular studies and pool the information contradictions are going to run rife.

davixen

Hi fellows,

in fact there is so much genetic evidence for autism that different schools of researchers work on a two - ancestor hypotheses for mankind. Based on genetic evidence, they suggest that autism and NTs origin from two different species.

For instance, the yahoo group "neanderthal-psychology@yahoogroups.com" exmaines the genetic evidence for a Neanderthal - Autism connection.

A very comprehensive but unfortunatley very difficult article to read on the subject "two ancestor hypothesis" can be found online here:

http://www.autismandcomputing.org.uk/walker2.htm


Also, there is interessting research on the genetic evidence of both ADHD, Asperger and Autism and that they may be just different expressions of the same spectrum. There book about it is very easy and user-friendly:

"The ADHD Autism Connection: A Step Toward More Accurate Diagnosis and Effective Treatment" by Diane Kennedy.

The book is really good, because ot gives the answer 'autstic spectrum disorder' to those who already are desperate because they have been diagnosed with ADHD, TS, OCD, ODD, BP, Anxiety, Dyslexia, seizures, ataxia, left hemiparesis, developmental delay, Post tramatic stress disorder and more.. But they may just be in the autistic spectrum somewhere were DSM-IV diagnosis criteria did not expect it.

I've heard of this two-ancestor theory somewhere before too. As for the "leaky-gut syndrome", I think this is just a trendy name for food intolerance.