kim

Jenny, I thought reading thru this may be helpful This remark made me think of the linked presentation http://www.thoughtfulhouse.org/0405-conf-akrigsman.htm http://www.thoughtfulhouse.org/

CP, Reading Carolyn N's excellent post made me think of this question that you asked recently. I think you just want to be aware of both. If your son doesn't have any reaction to the veggie's themselves, the fermented part would probably be beneficial. Here is one article discussing the benefits of fermented foods http://www.sunherb.com/magical_power_of_fermented_foods.htm Then from Carolyn's post http://www.plantpoisonsandrottenstuff.info...troduction.aspx This is because we all have different levels of enzymes in our stomachs and livers. Enzymes are required to break down toxins or attach elements to them that help to draw them from the body. The production of these detoxification enzymes varies by something like 10-15 fold in the population. For example, tyramine is a stimulant pseudo-neurotransmitter found in some fermented and aged foods, like cheese or pickled fish. Tyramine is notorious for causing heart palpatations, insomnia, brain "noise" or "chatter", sweating, and is the reason that cheese and chocolate have a reputation for causing nightmares. More on tyramine http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyramine

Bmom, I am not getting either of the boys any more vaccines. If one of them were to contract chicken pox and have a permanent disability, or develope meningitis with a supposedly vaccine preventable strain, would i question if i had done the right thing. Yes. If I allow further vaccines and they suffer a permanent disability or a deterioration in health, would i suffer? Yes. I have educated myself to the best of my ability, prayed, continue to read everything relating to this subject that i can find, but currently this is the decision that i am at peace with. Here is an article that was posted recently. I also have a study saved somewhere, showing where 33 out of 100 autistic kids in the study had tics of one form or another. With all that i have learned about the "unknowns" with vaccines, the thought of taking my child in to recieve a Gardasil (will probably be addded to the schedule for boys too, in the near future), 6th dose Tdap, meningitis vax, flu shot, and 2nd dose of chicken pox, in some cases all in the same day? You may as well shoot me. You would have to shoot me, or it would not happen I do sympathize with your situation. All i can say is that it took a ton of time and research to come to this decision, and it's not one that anyone can make for you. It's a complex issue. "This study is part of a larger effort to learn how changes in immune system response may make some children more susceptible to the harmful effects of environmental agents," CHILDREN WITH AUTISM HAVE DISTINCTLY DIFFERENT IMMUNE SYSTEM REACTIONS COMPARED TO TYPICAL CHILDREN Immunologists from UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute find clear biological component to perplexing childhood neurological disorder May 5, 2005 (BOSTON, Mass.) – A new study by researchers at the University of California, Davis, M.I.N.D. Institute and the NIEHS Center for Children's Environmental Health demonstrate that children with autism have different immune system responses than children who do not have the disorder. This is important evidence that autism, currently defined primarily by distinct behaviors, may potentially be defined by distinct biologic changes as well. The study was released at the 4th International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR) – a meeting of autism scientists started by Cure Autism Now, the UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute and the National Alliance for Autism Research to accelerate knowledge of this increasingly common and perplexing disorder. It is estimated that autism now affects 1 in every 166 children. "Understanding the biology of autism is crucial to developing better ways to diagnose and treat it," said Judy Van de Water, associate professor of rheumatology, allergy and clinical immunology at the UC Davis School of Medicine and the UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute. "While impaired communication and social skills are the hallmarks of the disorder, there has not yet been strong scientific evidence that the immune system is implicated as well. We now need to design carefully controlled studies that tell us even more about the way in which a dysfunctional immune system may or may not play a role in the disorder itself." Van de Water, along with co-investigator of the study Paul Ashwood, assistant professor of medical microbiology and immunology at the UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute, isolated immune cells from blood samples taken from 30 children with autism and 26 typically developing children aged between two and five years of age. The cells from both groups were then exposed to bacterial and viral agents that usually provoke T-cells, B cells and macrophages – primary players in the immune system. Of the agents tested in the study - tetanus toxoid, lippopolysaccharide derived from E. coli cell walls, a plant lectin known as PHA, and a preparation of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine antigens - the researchers found clear differences in cellular responses between patients and controls following exposure to the bacterial agents and PHA. In response to bacteria, the researchers saw lower levels of protein molecules called cytokines in the group with autism. Cytokines function as mediators of the immune response, carrying messages between B, T and other immune cells. They also are known to be capable of having profound effects on the central nervous system, including sleep and the fever response. Immune system responses to PHA, in contrast, produced more varied cytokine levels: Higher levels of certain cytokines and lower levels of others. According to Van de Water and Ashwood, these studies illustrate that under similar circumstances, the cytokine responses elicited by the T-cells, B-cells, and macrophage cell populations following their activation differs markedly in children with autism compared to age-matched children in the general population. Cytokines are known to affect mood and behavior, and while their specific role in the development of autism remains unclear, the potential connection is an intriguing area of research that warrants further investigation. "This study is part of a larger effort to learn how changes in immune system response may make some children more susceptible to the harmful effects of environmental agents," said Kenneth Olden, director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, the federal agency that provided funding for the study. "A better understanding of the connection between altered immune response and autism may lead to significant advances in the early detection, prevention and treatment of this complex neurological disorder." "We would like to take these findings and explore whether, for example, the cytokine differences are specific to certain subsets of patients with autism, such as those with early onset, or those who exhibit signs of autism later during development, " Ashwood said. He added that the logical next step is to look directly at specific cell populations that may be responsible for the diverging responses between patients and controls. This study was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Environmental Health Sciences, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute, Ted Lindsay Foundation and Visceral. The UC Davis M.I.N.D. (Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders) Institute is a unique collaborative center for research into the causes and treatments of autism, bringing together parents, scientists, clinicians and educators. For further information, go to http://www.ucdmc. ucdavis.edu/ mindinstitute.

Tracey, I have always wondered if the subtle neck movements and head turns that a lot of our kids do, is more related to dystonia. You might want to read a few things along those lines, and see if anything grabs your attention. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/dystoni...l_dystonias.htm What are the dystonias? The dystonias are movement disorders in which sustained muscle contractions cause twisting and repetitive movements or abnormal postures. The movements, which are involuntary and sometimes painful, may affect a single muscle; a group of muscles such as those in the arms, legs, or neck; or the entire body. Those with dystonia usually have normal intelligence and no associated psychiatric disorders. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acetylcholine Acetylcholine is synthesized in certain neurons by the enzyme choline acetyltransferase from the compounds choline and acetyl-CoA. The enzyme acetylcholinesterase converts acetylcholine into the inactive metabolites choline and acetate. This enzyme is abundant in the synaptic cleft, and its role in rapidly clearing free acetylcholine from the synapse is essential for proper muscle function. http://www.restoreunity.org/inhibiting_ace...e_parkinson.htm Acetylcholine is the neurotransmitter that stimulates muscle cells. It is considered that the higher ratio of acetylcholine to dopamine leads to over-stimulating muscle cells and this imbalance contributes to the various disorders of movement found in Parkinson's Disease.

Regarding the recent discussion of Phenylalanine and pain inducing tics, I thought this was quite interesting. Look at the compostition of L-DOPA Neurophysiologic study of central pain in patients with Parkinson disease. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18056580?dopt=Abstract CONCLUSION: Conduction along peripheral and central pain pathways is normal in patients with Parkinson disease with or without primary central pain. However, apart from signs of hyperalgesia, our patients exhibited lack of habituation of sympathetic sudomotor responses to repetitive pain stimuli, suggesting an abnormal control of the effects of pain inputs on autonomic centers. Abnormalities were attenuated by l-dopa, suggesting that the dysfunction may occur in dopamine-dependent centers regulating both autonomic function and inhibitory modulation of pain inputs. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levodopa Levodopa (INN) or L-DOPA (3,4-dihydroxy-L-phenylalanine

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=A...fc17b781730a1de The causes of Parkinson's disease (PD), the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, are still largely unknown. Current thinking is that major gene mutations cause only a small proportion of all cases and that in most cases, non-genetic factors play a part, probably in interaction with susceptibility genes

This gave me chills from head to toe. I have never been a controlling peson, actually quite passive. Somedays I see the toll, the time I devote to this takes, right down to my own kids. Yet I can't seem to stop searching for the bigger picture here. So what is my message????? Lift one up for me, will you CP ?(as in a quick prayer!)

This is another article that i had saved. I only have the excerpt here. i haven't read the whole thing in a while. At the time I copied this, i was looking for an inbalance ( low dopamine level/deficiency) in one brain region, that may result in the supersensitive receptors in another area, as Cheri made mention of. Interestingly, this is also part of the hypothesis that Bonnie had, that i never picked up on, until i read this article for the 20th time http://www.bio.net/bionet/mm/neur-sci/1996...ary/022416.html In this article it's important to remember that levodopa is used to treat Parkinson's. They INCREASED levels of dopamine. These were ADULT patients however and it doesn't say what drugs they had used through out the years. It also doesn't say what effect levodopa had on tic activity/severity. It's important to read this carefully and understand that the tasks were completed equally well in both groups (interesting...but these were adults, not children with ADHD and tics). What was demonstrated was how an area of the brain was working differently and how an infusion of levodopa normalized it. This impression that i get here, and something i hope others are aware of and pay attention to, is when your DAN or other Dr. recommends things that can be involved in dopamine production, it may not be something to automatically shy away from. Slow application and careful observation and reporting of reactions could go along way in helping the Dr. figure out what brain region is affected, and how to balance dopamine levels most effectively to reduce symptoms. These are the ramblings of a totally medically uneducation parent!! This is posted for discussion purposes only. I'm not suggesting that anyone start trying to increase dopamine levels in themselves or their children but this concept, is IMHO important. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/...40406083500.htm

bmom, this is a good site http://www.909shot.com/state-site/state-exemptions.htm

Sunshine, Thanks so much for taking the time to post your son's progress. Amazing that no further surgery was required for the eye problem. I was reading an old PM from another Mom who followed the Yasko protocol for her son. She mentioned that surgery can cause damage if you are deficient in B12? I don't know the source of that information, but thought it was interesting. My son was so sick after his tonsil removal. I thought he was never going to recover. I'm wondering if you can answer just a couple of quick questions. Is a trip to Calif. required for an initial consultation, or is there a possibility that we could do appts by phone? Do you feel aluminum removal was key in eradicating the strep and autoimmune issues?

Sunshine, Thanks so much for taking the time to post your son's progress. Amazing that no further surgery was required for the eye problem. I was reading an old PM from another Mom who followed the Yasko protocol for her son. She mentioned that surgery can cause damage if you are deficient in B12? I don't know the source of that information, but thought it was interesting. My son was so sick after his tonsil removal. I thought he was never going to recover. I'm wondering if you can answer just a couple of quick questions. Is a trip to Calif. required for an initial consultation, or is there a possibility that we could do appts by phone? Do you feel aluminum removal was key in eradicating the strep and autoimmune issues?

Faith/mom2three Did you listen to Dr. DeMio's talk? When it comes to vaccines, just please be sure of your decision. It's not something that can be undone, but CAN be done at a later time if you have any doubt in your mind as to whether or not it is in the best interest of your child's health. This is a very good blog also. Notice the remark and links provided by PharmD Essay at: http://ravenintellections.typepad.com/from...sk_of_teresa_b/ Comment at: http://ravenintellections.typepad.com/from...omment-95538638

mom2three, I just wanted to add that i was trying to quickly search the ingredients also. One thing that caught my attention was that rock rose is a polyphenol. It also contains tannins according to one site. You may want to search tannins and phenols and see if you can connect any other foods or substances that may trigger an increase in symptoms that are high in phenols and do a little research on tannins. I remember someone posting about a supplement once, that the concern was regarding tannin. I can't remember which one it was though. I know how upsetting this must be. Just remember that most reactions that are tied to the more natural remedies, usually are shorter lasting than an adverse reaction to something like HALDOL I can't imagine that a mild muscle relaxer wouldn't be considered before a medication like Haldol, in an emergency room situation. I'll be praying things improve quickly. Kim

bmom, I don't think we hit hyper problems with Bontech vits until I was giving my oldest son about 12 of them. This was approx 3 years ago, he just turned 15. He was a good sized boy 3 yrs ago, but i couldn't even begin to remember his weight. I didn't start my youngest out on Bontech vits. I gave him individual vit B. He was noticably hyper, to the point that we laughted about it. He even knew that he couldn't stand still. Since we can't go beyond a certain amt of vits with the boys (although i'm not certain they couldn't handle more now...it's more an issue of only being able to swallow so many capsules in 1 day, as we do probiotics extra this and that), i have seriously considered swithching to individual supplements. I'm certain that my youngest needs more biotin and vit A than he's getting with the reduced amt of Bontech. Problem is, they have done very well on them! My oldest likes epsom salt baths and does not seem to have adverse effects from it, so i'm puzzled there in regards to problems with sulfate. I guess if he has a conversion problem, and the epsom salt baths provide sulfur, not sulfate, maybe he is ok with that. Or it could be a matter of handling a certain amt, but having problems once you go beyond a certain point. Just don't know Here are some excerpts from Dr. Amy's site. I hate to post the quotes, but the links don't work anymore. See what you make of it. The CBS mutation that Sunshine posted about, can give kids with high protein diets problems with ammonia levels too. I was so puzzled when my youngest son didn't show high levels with testing. It didn't occur to me until much later, that the reason he didn't have high ammonia was because his diet is very protein restricted. NO MEAT of any kind, NO EGGS, only the small amts that he would get in something like crackers, baked goods etc. Anyway, I'm going off in too many directions now! Bottom line, i think vit b and b 12 are essential for many of our kids, but conservative amts introduced slowly may be best. Individual reactions vary. The ups and downs with 2 kids with completly different reactions is part of the reason that i spend so much time at this! Chronic bacterial infection and its effects on tryptophan breakdown are part of the reason why I suggest only low levels of P5P for individuals with chronic bacterial issues and CBS up regulations. P5P also helps to push the CBS reaction as well as to aid in the conversion of kynurenic to quinolinic The kynurenic that is generated via the breakdown of tryptophan by bacterial infection is calming; however P5P helps to convert it to quinolinic which is excitatory. and Kynurenate is part of the breakdown pathway for tryptophan. As the body breaks down tryptophan for this purpose it will also deplete serotonin. Lack of serotonin combined with streptococcal infection can lead to perseverative and OCD behaviors in addition to other effects. and In some cases I have not found that the use of high dose B6 or P5P is always helpful. It can actually cause more overstimulatory or OCD type behaviors. While kynurenic acid is calming for neurotransmitters, the product that kynurenines are converted to by B6 is quinolinic acid. Quinolinic acid is an excitotoxin. So if you have high kynurenine and add B6 you can generate quinolinic acid which acts as an excitotoxin and can aggravate the nervous system. Increased levels of quinolinic acid have been implicated in Alzheimer?s disease as well as with respect to excitotoxin damage of nerves.

bmom, 3 reports of these tumors does seem a little much to dismiss as coincidence doesn't it? Was removal recommended? Is your husbands located at the end of a long bone? Lisa M, I have not had the genetic testing done. This page gives some info on it. My impression is that there is the testing at the price shown and then there's one that gives Dr. Amy's interpretation and recommendations for supplements? Maybe Sunshine can comment on this. She does have a physician who is guiding her with the Yasko protocol, so she may not have had to order on her own. That was one of the questions that i wanted to ask her too, but was hoping to find as much as possible on my own. In regards to your 2 year old, you will probably find the talk given by Dr. DeMio interesting. I don't think the amt of vit B that would be found in a childrens multi would be enough to cause problems that may be seen, if a child is not able to handle larger amts. In the maximum dose of Bontech vits, for a 90 lb person or over, you would be getting 100 mgs. This is 5000% of the daily recommended value. If you take 10 you are getting 50mgs at 2500%. This is for a child of 35 to 66 lbs. So it is a consideralbe amt. This might be very beneficial for some, but possibly not great for others. Without testing, careful observation is about the only thing that you have to go on. I will try to post some more of the sulfur info as soon as i have a little more time. There is a lot that I don't understand either. I'm just sort of working through it myself. I'm going to try to get a little more organized with sharing some of this in the new year! Sunshine's post, just kind of had the effect of making the cork fly out of my bottle http://www.holisticheal.com/store/product....=124&page=1

Wanted to share these. I only listened to Dr. DeMio. Started to listen to Yasko, can't wait to get back to it! http://www.autismone.org/radio/default.cfm...amp;MyYear=2007 Dr. DeMio audio http://www.autismone.org/radio/default.cfm...;bg=&FromA1 Dr. Yasko audio http://www.autismone.org/radio/default.cfm...;bg=&FromA1

Sunshine, I just can't thank you enough for that wonderful reply. Do you remember if your sons tumor was called an osteochondroma? It's so wonderful to read that he's doing so well. I think your post brought some very good points to light here. I know we have at least a few parents who have had testing that showed very high levels of tauine. While mag taurate works well for many, it's always good to get a hold of more pieces to the puzzle. I have also noticed/suspected that my boys aren't able to handle high amts of vit B. My greatest hope is that every person/parent can find these answers. It breaks my heart to think that there are some who feel that "vitamins" didn't work for their child. There are SO many more comments/questions that i would love to ask you, but i'm brushing up on the CBS mutation and a few other things that you reminded me of. I'm going to wait until I can ask you my most important specific questions, so i don't take up too much of your time! Again, thanks from the bottom of my heart! **for anyone who wants to know a little more about what were talking about here, thought i'd include these http://www.ch3nutrigenomics.com/phpBB2/vie...1b7861344cbb61e http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-140490456.html

Thanks Cheri I book marked that site. About the 5HTP/tryptophan, I think your remark was more something like you just said, as in now that tryptophan was available again it was a better choice in your opinion? I think my confusion was in thinking that 5HTP converted to tryptophan, but after doing some reading, looks like tryptophan converts to 5HTP then to serotonin. one site said tryptophan converts to serotonin (no mention of 5HTP intermediate) so I guess what i should focus on, is just how my son responded to it. The one thing i can say for sure, with our limited use of this supplement (5HTP) it surely did promote sleep! I don't need any further studies to convince me of that. We had to use very small amounts to avoid the sleepies. Here are a few sites for anyone wanting info. The first/second is promoting a product, but seems to have some good balanced info. The third made a good case for tryptophane as opposed to 5HTP http://www.raysahelian.com/tryptophan.html http://www.raysahelian.com/5-htp.html Biochemistry of 5-HTP Tryptophan converts to 5-HTP which converts to serotonin, then to N-acetyl-serotonin, followed by the conversion to melatonin. Note: Tryptophan is also metabolized by a different pathway, not all of it is converted into 5-HTP. Once serotonin is made, the pineal gland is able to convert it at night into melatonin, the sleep-inducing hormone. Vitamin B6 is involved in the process of serotonin formation. Tryptophan, 5-HTP, and melatonin are available for sale as supplements. http://www.compoundingonoxford.com.au/subc...phan/index.html

Sunshine! It's good to see you pop in. I have been looking forward to hearing from you and Giselle. I certainly understand the lack of ability to post much. I'm going to throw a few things out here, don't expect you to comment in any depth, but anything that you have any knowledge of or any breif comment would be so appreciated. I have saved to my files so many articles/ studies on sulfur metabolism. I will seach and save for hours, then I end up with so much info, it's hard to go back thru and put it in any context that might make sense to someone. I'm wondering if the SNP is specific to any one sulfur group. I have a pretty good idea that my oldest son at least, has a mutation in EXT 1 or EXT2 which is required for the biosynthesis of heparan sulfate. I found this by researching on an unrelated condition that he has (or is it?). It's just a benign bony tumor. It looks like he has a second ankle bone. Scared me to death when he first pointed it out to me, but i was assured it was harmless. Well, it's quite hard to assure me of anything anymore. I'm aware of Dr. Yasko's theory of problems with resulfating GaGs after strep infections which would fit my boys reactions to strep better than the autoimmunity problem. I don't believe that they are in the group that experiences a true autoimmune attack on the brain. Recently we had a discussion on another thread about Parkinson's, restless leg syndrome etc. The sulfur involvement seems to be implicated in many of the things we discusse here including PST and an inability to handle phenols/artificial colors etc. Is any of this familiar to you? With this SNP was your son more vulnerable to the effects of thimerosal? sulfhydryl groups (thiols/merchapitan) are essential in clearance of thimerosal or mercury period, if I'm understanding correctly (which is assuming a lot! ) I'm hesitant to let my youngest son work with a therapist because I'm afraid that he is unable to physically handle some of the foods that he refuses to eat, possibly due to sulfur content. Are there foods that have been recommended that your son avoid or any specifically recommended in regards to the SNP? Anyway it's great to hear from you again. If I remember right, the last time you posted, you were somewhere sunny. That reminds me, i just ran into some info today about elevated levels of alkaline phosphate (oldest son had high levels in last blood work) in relationship to vit D deficiency. Seems to me you mentioned low levels of D in your last post?

Cheri, I'm wondering if your son used the D form of phenylalanine only? You're right about the DL form being much easier to find. I didn't remember ever reading that info on the "treatments that helped your son," post. I was looking at it recently when my oldest was in the midst of the head shaking flair. Since he's older now, it's easier for him to articulate what he's feeling. That tic was clearly done to induce pain. We didn't end up using Phenylalanine, because the problem went away before we tried it with just getting back to a cleaner diet and back to the supplements that we have been using over the past 3 years. I do want to keep this in the arsenol of things to consider in the future if needed though. Those pain inducing tics are awful! The power of some of these supplements is really awesome. I was reminded of that as we were working through the head shaking. I did feel that the 5HTP was beneficial. Maybe the serotonin boost (we used conservative amts thru out the day) helped in the same way that the phenylalanine would have? Also, I'm wondering if you can comment on why you are more comfortable with tryptophan than 5 HTP? I want to quote this from your post here especially for newer members or just as a reminder.

Cheri, Actually tryptophan is an essential amino acid. Many sites refer to 5HTP as an amino acid also, but i couldn't come up with one other than Wiki that i thought was really creadible. My understanding is that some amino acids act as neurotransmitters. I really only remember this because I recently used 5htp for my oldest son during the head shaking flare. I remembered from a post of yours that you prefer trytophan as opposed to 5htp. I thought 5htp converted to tryp instead of tryptophan converting to 5htp. The conversion and precursors get confusing. Soooo, the info that you provided ( and Micheles wonderfully detailed post regarding here DAN Dr. visits)lead me to really looking at amino acids (have much to learn!). It's looking to me like my youngest son is probably really lacking since his protein intake is so limited. Without the amino's he may not be utililizing the nutrients like he should. As always thanks for the tons of valuable info you provide. This was only meant for claification, as usually these things are talked about here more in regards to their function as neurotransmitters, than amino acids, but recently i have been feeling like balancing aminos may be very important to youngest son.

Newtothis, How lucky that you were able to find a Neuro that would spend time at least trying to give you some useful info. Ours suggested that it was time to "part ways," if i was going to mess around with vitamins or info obtained from the internet. We did just that, and have not looked back. Vitamin A is something that you want to be careful with. The vitamins that store in fat ( D E and K are other fat soluable vits), as opposed to water soluable vits can build to toxic levels. You want to have a good idea of how these things work if you are not being guided by a physician with usage. I was thinking that these sites might be helpful to you. I found the Pauling site very useful when trying to get a handle on vits and minerals. Also, Bonnie's (Bontech) site has a chart with her ingredient list and recommendations based on weight. You can get a pretty good idea of how much shoud at least be safe to use, if you do a little math. http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/vitamins.html Bontech ingredient list with useage chart according to weight http://www.bonniegr.com/ts-PLUS%20CONTROL.htm HTH's! (hope that helps) BTW..my youngests sons first noticable unusual movement was eye rolling. Like your guy, hee is a sugar craver with a limited diet. My oldest has never had the eye rolls

Airbucket, From Michelles post above I found that interesting too! I just wanted to say that I wouldn't hesitate to call and leave a message for Dr. Murphy to call you back. That appt. probably cost you/your insurance plenty. I bet she wouldn't mind a bit, if you just explained that you felt your time with her, personally, was too short to have all of your questions answered. If she can return your call at her convenience, she probably won't be so rushed. On another note, I hope you don't feel somehow alienated by the autism sectrum diagnosis. This was just being discussed on another bd. They were using the phrase "autism lite." If you look at many many children, I think you will find at least some symptom that would qualify as part of the ASD's (with or without tics). The lines seem to be becoming quite blurry. Personally, I wouldn't focus on the label, just the particular problems that your child has. Since sooo many children are affected by these disorders (and it's finally be acknowledged!) I'm hopeful that there will be some real answers in the near future. Here is an article that someone just posted yesterday. Will any of this research be helpful to children with tics/ts and in some instances related disorders, I sure am hopeful! http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2007/fragilex-1219.html

Caryn, I think there is a study listed on the right side reguarding candida and biofilm too. I know what you mean about suspicion of gut bugs. Here are a few more studies regarding biofilm. The first one is quite interesting regarding increased glucose concentration resulting in increased biofilm. The last sentence about "reduce virulence factor expression," I take to mean that they didn't find things they would normally see elevated because of the biofilm, not that the strep is less virulent? Would like to find the complete study, if I just had more time! The nutritional requirements for biofilm formation by Group A streptococcus http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=A...01a60d811ab55d1 Josephine Shera, Kadaba S. Sriprakash and David J. McMillan, Department or Bacterial Pathogenesis. Queensland Institute of Medical Research, PO Royal Brisbane Hospital Qld. 4029. Australia Available online 20 April 2006. Abstract Using a crystal violet assay, we tested the ability of 84 group A streptococcal (GAS) strains representing more than 50 different emm-types to form biofilms. Our data demonstrate that almost all strains under investigation (83 of 84) were able to form biofilms to some degree. Biofilm forming capacity was in general conserved among isolates of the same emm-type. Biofilm formation was not altered by carbon dioxide or sucrose. However, increased glucose concentration resulted in increased biofilm formation. As growth in the presence of glucose has also been reported to reduce virulence factor expression, we hypothesise that the biofilm mode of growth may be associated with evasion of host immune responses. There is some interesting info contained in the studies listed below this one too http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/287/13/1710 Mucosal Biofilm Formation on Middle-Ear Mucosa in the Chinchilla Model of Otitis Media Garth D. Ehrlich, PhD; Richard Veeh, PhD; Xue Wang, MD; J. William Costerton, PhD; Jay D. Hayes; Fen Ze Hu, MS; Bernie J. Daigle; Miles D. Ehrlich; J. Christopher Post, MD,PhD

Hi Peggy Welcome! I'm a little late here, but I wanted you to look at this too. We have a Dad here who has posted often about controlling tics in himself and his daughter's by following the feingold diet. If you search the forum for "Jeff" and click on his name, it will give you an option to click on to read his posts. Most people /parents here, find eliminating at least some of these things beneficial. Check this out from Dana's site. http://www.danasview.net/phenol.htm