July 08, 2024
- A new review has investigated the potential use of immunomodulating agents to treat neuroinflammation in patients with autism, who often do not respond to standard treatments. Neuroinflammation, influenced by genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors, is considered a significant contributor to ASD. This work highlights that some existing anti-inflammatory treatments have shown promise, including corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg), COX-2 inhibitors (e.g., Celecoxib), minocycline and pioglitazone. The authors state that these treatments need to be tailored based on individual clinical and laboratory findings. They also point to recent advances in neuroscience and immunology, suggesting that repurposing current anti-inflammatory medications and introducing new ones, like biologics, could provide effective alternatives for some ASD patients. This research underscores the growing potential of immunomodulating agents to offer new hope for ASD patients.
- In a recent interview with The Transmitter, Matthew Siegel from Boston Children’s Hospital discussed the need to define “profound autism” by focusing on adaptive functioning rather than cognitive and verbal abilities. Siegel’s research indicates that adaptive functioning better reflects the support needs of these individuals. He advocates for using established tools like the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales and is leading a consensus process to standardize the definition. His approach aims to improve care and support for those with profound autism and prevent health insurers from misusing the term to deny services.
- The Child Mind Institute recently featured a series of articles investigating anti-psychotic drug use for children. Antipsychotic medications, initially developed for adults with psychosis, are also used to treat severe behavioral problems in children and teenagers, particularly those with autism, ADHD, and other behavior disorders. These drugs can help reduce aggression, irritability, and disruptive behaviors but come with serious side effects like weight gain and hormonal changes, necessitating careful monitoring by a doctor. Most prescribed antipsychotics for children are “atypical” or “second-generation,” which have fewer motor control side effects and work by reducing dopamine and sometimes serotonin levels in the brain.
- Don’t miss TACA’s Monthly Learning Series in July, focusing on Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) and Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS). These autoimmune conditions are characterized by neurological symptoms such as OCD, anxiety, tics, behavioral issues, and sleep disorders. Learn more about the symptoms and treatment options for PANS/PANDAS through TACA presentations on PANDAS/PANS and Autism, Mold and Mycotoxins, Medical Causes of Aggression in Autism, The Gut-Brain Connection, Immune Dysfunction in Autism, and Aggression and Behavior in Autism
