Tag Archives: autism
We have just published our first paper on extending the rodent model of maternal immune activation to monkeys. As repeat readers of this blog, and the accompanying book, well know, an important risk factor for both autism and schizophrenia is … Continue reading
Stem cell therapy for autism – first clinical trial
A paper just out from the Shenzen Beike Cell Engineering Research Institute in Guangdong, China presents the first results of a proof-of-concept, safety trial of stem cell (SC) injections in 37 autistic children. The justification for this intervention is primarily … Continue reading
Posted in General
Tagged autism, autoimmune disease, cytokine, GI inflammation, health, mental-health, OCD, PANDAS, Rett syndrome, Tourette
2 Comments
Positive sides to autism
In LA Times article, Temple Grandin sees the advantages that she and others with autism bring to society.
Important message from the Director of the National Institute of Mental Health
Thanks to ADResearchInitiative blog for the tip on this message. On another note, our family is off to E Africa for 3 weeks to give lectures (me, viruses and mental health; wife Carolyn, special education) in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. … Continue reading
Posted in General
Tagged autism, depression, mental-health, PANDAS, Rett syndrome, schizophrenia, Syndenham, Tourette
Leave a comment
The President speaks at a mental health conference at the White House
This conference received virtually no press coverage at all.
Posted in General
Tagged autism, bipolar, depression, mental-health, OCD, Rett syndrome, schizophrenia
2 Comments
Dietary salt, inflammation and mental illness?
In the past few decades there has been a marked increase in autoimmune disease. This has been correlated with the increased population of the Western diet and processed foods. The latter contain far more salt than homemade foods. Now, two … Continue reading
Posted in General
Tagged autism, autoimmune disease, cytokine, diet and autism, inflammation, mental-health, multiple sclerosis, schizophrenia
4 Comments
Placentas and autism
Several people have inquired about a new paper tying abnormalities in the placenta with an autism outcome in the offspring. This work involved a collaboration between Cheryl Walker and colleagues at UC Davis and Harvey Kliman at Yale in which … Continue reading
Posted in General
Tagged autism, cytokine, developmental delay, flu, IL-6, inflammation, influenza, maternal infection
4 Comments
My new favorite drug?
I’ve written here before that the cholesterol-lowering medications, the statins, have positive effects on a variety of brain diseases and injuries in a variety of animal models (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, stroke), with relatively few side effects. The thought is that they … Continue reading
Posted in General
Tagged Alzheimer's disease, autism, cytokine, inflammation, mental-health, schizophrenia, stroke
Leave a comment
More evidence of immune involvement in autism and schizophrenia, and implications for therapy
Given that many studies have provided evidence that infection in pregnant women is associated with increased risk for autism and schizophrenia in the offspring, Alan Brown and his colleagues in Finland measured the levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), an established biomarker of … Continue reading
Posted in General
Tagged antibiotic, antipsychotic, autism, cytokine, fragile x, inflammation, maternal infection, mental-health, mouse model, Rett syndrome
7 Comments
Pure cure for autism?
An impressive new paper is just out from Robert Naviaux, Susan Powell and colleagues at UC San Diego. They use our mouse model of the autism and schizophrenia risk factor, maternal immune activation during pregnancy, to show that a drug … Continue reading
Infectious Behavior 