Scientists for the first time have developed a vaccine for gut bacteria common in autistic children that may help control some autism symptoms.
Autism Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prognosis
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder typically characterized by impaired social and communication skills combined with repetitive movements.
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder typically characterized by impaired social and communication skills combined with repetitive movements.
More than 90 percent of children with autism spectrum disorders suffer from chronic, severe gastrointestinal symptoms. Of those, about 75 percent suffer from diarrhea, according to current literature.
"Little is known about the factors that predispose autistic children to C. bolteae," said Monteiro.
Quiz on Autism
Autism spectrum disorder is a complex genetic disorder that impairs social, behavioral, and communication functions in humans. Autistic people may act, communicate, interact, and learn differently than most other people. ASD usually begins in childhood and can last for the rest of a person's life, though symptoms may improve over time
Autism spectrum disorder is a complex genetic disorder that impairs social, behavioral, and communication functions in humans. Autistic people may act, communicate, interact, and learn differently than most other people. ASD usually begins in childhood and can last for the rest of a person's life, though symptoms may improve over time
"This is the first vaccine designed to control constipation and diarrhea caused by C. bolteae and perhaps control autism-related symptoms associated with this microbe," he said.
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Placenta Helps Predict Autism Risk
An infant's risk of developing autism can be measured by looking for abnormalities in his/her placenta at birth, say researchers.
An infant's risk of developing autism can be measured by looking for abnormalities in his/her placenta at birth, say researchers.
Some researchers believe toxins and/or metabolites produced by gut bacteria, including C. bolteae, may be associated with symptoms and severity of autism, especially regressive autism.
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Autism in Mice Linked With Abnormalities in Genes Associated With Brain Development
A new study conducted by American researchers on a group of mice has linked autism with abnormalities in specific regions of their chromosomes in genes associated with aberrant brain development.
A new study conducted by American researchers on a group of mice has linked autism with abnormalities in specific regions of their chromosomes in genes associated with aberrant brain development.
The new anti- C. bolteae vaccine targets the specific complex polysaccharides, or carbohydrates, on the surface of the bug.
The vaccine effectively raised C. bolteae-specific antibodies in rabbits. Doctors could also use the vaccine-induced antibodies to quickly detect the bug in a clinical setting, said Monteiro.
The vaccine might take more than 10 years to work through preclinical and human trials, and it may take even longer before a drug is ready for market, Monteiro said.
But this is a significant first step in the design of a multivalent vaccine against several autism-related gut bacteria, he said.
The groundbreaking study appeared this month in the journal Vaccine.
Source-ANI
