Incomplete Brain Development In Autism: Causes And Treatment

Incomplete Brain Development in Autism: Causes and Treatment

William J. Walsh, Ph.D. Pfeiffer Treatment Center Warrenville, IL

Pfeiffer Treatment Center  Outpatient

medical facility  23,000 patients from all 50 states and 75 foreign countries.  Collaboration between medical doctors and scientists.  Individualized Biochemical Therapy  Scientific Research  501c3 Public Charity

Pfeiffer Autism Research  Chemistry

Database Studies  Metallothionein Research  Oxidative Damage -- Essential fats -- Vascular tissue -- Immune cells (leukocytes) -- Brain tissue  Assays of autism/control brain tissues.

Pfeiffer Chemistry Database 10,600   

Behavior & ADHD 6,000 Autism 3,700 Schizophrenia & Bipolar 3,600 Depression

Pfeiffer Autism Database  About

90 to 150 assays of chemical factors in blood, urine, or hair for more than 6,000 patients

 More

than 1,000,000 separate chemical analyses

Year 1999 Discovery Undermethylation Present in more than 90% of autism-spectrum children.

Year 2000 Discovery  Greater

than 99% of ASD patients exhibit abnormal Cu and Zn levels in blood.  Normally, Cu & Zn are homeostatically controlled by metallothionein proteins. Conclusion: Depressed metallothionein activity is a distinctive feature of autism.

Autism Database Analysis  Major

biochemical abnormalities observed throughout the autism spectrum.  The biochemical imbalances are more severe than those for ADHD, violent behavior, depression, and psychosis.  Female autistics have more disordered chemistry than male autistics.

High Incidence Biochemical Abnormalities in Autism Elevated serum copper  Elevated toxic metals  Depressed zinc  Undermethylation  Pyrrole disorder  Severe oxidative stress & damage 

Biochemical Abnormalities in Autism --- Continued -- Depressed

Methionine and SAMe  Elevated SAH and Adenosine  High Urinary Isoprostanes  Depressed Cysteine and Glutathione  Low Selenium Levels  Depressed Ceruloplasmin  Elevated Levels of Free-Radicals

Each of the Biochemical Abnormalities Are Associated With Oxidative Stress

1. 2. 3.

Conclusion: Autism is a condition of oxidative stress An oxidative stress model can explain most symptoms of autism Oxidative stress has become a leading focus of autism research.

Experimental Results and Statistical Analysis Autism Spectrum (N=503) Controls (N=25)

Mean Cu/Zn Ratio 1.63 1.15

t = 8.77 (two-tailed “t” test); p < 0.0001 American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting New Orleans, 2001.

Insufficient Ceruloplasmin Levels in Autistic-Spectrum Patients Autistics Unbound* Serum Cu 41 % *Not bound to ceruloplasmin

Controls 21 %

P < 0.01

Conclusion: Autistics exhibit excessive levels of loosely bound or free-radical copper (high oxidative stress).

Abnormally Elevated Copper 1. 2. 3.

Depletes metallothionein & glutathione Associated with inflammation & excessive oxidative stress Can cause abnormal neurotransmitter levels.

Low Metallothionein Levels in Autism p < 0.0092

3.5 3 2.5 2

Autistics Controls

1.5 1 0.5 0

Metallothionein

Why is Metallothionein Important?  Required

for development of brain cells,  Primary “filter” for Hg, Pb, and other metal toxics at intestinal and blood/brain barriers,  Required for homeostasis of Cu and Zn,  Supports immune function. --

MT is a magnet for mercury, but MT activity is weak in autism-spectrum children.

Autopsy Studies Show Structural Abnormalities in Autistic Brains  Short,

dense, undeveloped brain cells,  Abnormalities observed primarily where MT levels are highest (amygdala, hippocampus, Purkinje cells, inferior olives, and pineal gland). Conclusion: Incomplete maturation of autistic brains may be due to low MT levels.

The Role of Metallothionein in the Development of Brain Cells  MT-3

assists in the pruning of brain cells, which makes space for growth of “new” cells,  MT-1 and MT-2 participate in the natural growth (development) of brain cells,  MT-3 is the primary agent for termination of growth of fully-developed brain cells.

Teamwork Between MT, GSH, Se “The Three Musketeers”  GSH

is first line of defense against Hg, Pb, etc, but has limited capacity for toxic metals.  When > 10% of GSH is bound to toxic metals, additional toxics are transferred from GSH to MT.  Se increases kinetics of the GSH/MT antioxidant system by more than 50%.  For major exposures, most toxic metals depart the body bound to MT.

MT-Promotion Therapy  Formulation

of 22 nutrients that promote genetic expression or functioning of MT, including Zinc, Glutathione, and Selenium,  Aimed at completion of brain maturation to enable gains in cognition, speech, and socialization,  Has resulted in higher frequency of autism recovery at Pfeiffer Treatment Center. U.S. Patent 7,232,575 (issued June, 2007)

Oxidative Damage Study 1  Published

in October, 2006. Archives of Neurology; Vol. 63:1161-1164. Authors Pratico, Walsh, McGinnis, and Yao.

 Findings:

Elevated oxidative damage to fats and vascular tissues for autistic subjects, compared to controls.

Higher iP Levels in Autism p < 0.01 6 5 4 Autistics Controls

3 2 1 0

iP

Oxidative Damage Study 2 

American Journal of Biotechnology and Biochemistry; 4(2):61-72, 2008. Authors: Evans, McGinnis, Walsh, Perry, Salomon, Lewis, et. al.



First direct evidence of oxidative damage in the autistic brain.



Evidence of neurodegeneration in autism

Implications of Oxidative Damage Studies  Untreated

autism may be neurodegenerative with oxidative damage causing slow, gradual loss of brain cells and IQ.

 Antioxidant

therapy may be necessary throughout the life of a person diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.

Clinical Evidence (n=7,000) of Neurodegeneration in Autism  Most

young ASD patients appear quite bright

 Many

successfully treated children become mainstreamed and academic leaders,

 Most

adult autistics exhibit mental severe retardation.

Leukocyte Study “Altered Sulfur Amino Acid Metabolism in Immune Cells of Children Diagnosed with Autism”; J. Suh, W. Walsh, W. McGinnis, A. Lewis, and B. Ames. American Journal of Biochemistry & Biotechnology; 4 (2): 105-113, 2008.

Leukocyte Findings for ASD  SAMe

levels 36% lower,  SAMe/SAH ratios 50% lower,  Homocysteine 180% higher,  Cysteine 40% lower,  GSH 25-60% lower.

Leukocyte Study Conclusion Evidence of increased inflammation, increased oxidative stress, and depressed immune function in autism.

Urine Pyrroles and Autism “Discerning the Mauve Factor, Part 1, 2.” Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, Vol. 14, No. 2, March, 2008. W.McGinnis, T.Audhya, W.Walsh, J.Jackson, J.McLaren-Howard, A.Lewis, P.Lauda, D.Bibus, F.Jurnak, R.Lietha, A.Hoffer.

 

25-35% of ASD patients exhibit elevated pyrroles. Urine HPL is a good marker for oxidative stress.

Correlation of iP vs. Kp

Kp mcg/mg

(corrected for creatinine)

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

p = 0.0164

0

20

40

60

iP ng/mg

80

100

Comparison of Elemental Levels in Autism & Control Brains  Double

blind, controlled study,  176 brain tissues & 22 peripheral samples from U. of Maryland’s Autism Brain Bank,  Elemental analysis for 16 elements, including Hg, Pb, Cu, Zn, and Se using high-brilliance photons at ANL’s Advanced Photon Source),  First elemental assays ever attempted for autism & control brain tissues.

Brain Regions Studied  Cerebellum  Superior

Cortex  Deep Cortex  White Matter Note: 20 autistic & 20 control tissue samples from each brain region

Autism/Control Tissue Array

Summary of Findings 

Abnormal levels of Ca, S, Fe, Zn in autism brains,



The abnormalities are strikingly different for male and female autistics, suggesting that male and female autism may have different genetic origins.



Mercury not detected (detection limit of about 100 ppb)

Note: Article prepared for Neurology.

Distinctive Features of Autism  Strong

genetic predisposition  Onset after environmental insult  High oxidative stress  Undermethylation  Incomplete brain maturation

Genetic Aspects of Autism  Strong

genetic predisposition -- Higher concordance in siblings -- 60 to 80% concordance in identical twins  Influence of environmental factors -- Identical twin concordance not 100% -- Major differences in many identical twins.

QUESTION: How Can There Be An Epidemic of a Genetic Condition? ANSWER: The genetic defect involves a weakened ability to cope with environmental stresses

Timing of Environmental Insults is Important In Utero Autism evident at birth. Greater severity of symptoms. Mental retardation often present.

After Birth Regressive autism. Symptoms depend on developmental stage during insult.

Severity of Environmental Insult Is Important Example: Disruption of key brain proteins

during development of speech center.  Mild

insult results in speech delay.

 Severe

insult results in mutism.

Poly-Gene Nature of Autism  Current

consensus that autism results from many genetic defects, rather than from a single gene.

A

common factor in these genetic defects may be diminished ability to cope with oxidative stress.

What is Autism? Oxidative Stress Theory of Autism  Genetic

tendency for depressed GSH, MT, Se, etc at intestinal and blood/brain barriers,  Inability to prevent Hg, Pb, Cd, and reactive oxygen specie from invading the brain. -- destruction of brain cells -- interruption of brain maturation process

Consequences of Oxidative Stress Mirror Classic Symptoms of Autism  Hypersensitivity

to Hg and other toxic metals  Hypersensitivity to certain proteins (casein, gluten, etc)  Poor immune function  Disruption of the methylation cycle  Inflammation of the brain & G.I. tract.  Depletion of glutathione & metallothionein  Excessive amounts of “unbound” copper

Consequences of Oxidative Stress in the G.I. Tract  Destroys

digestive enzymes needed to break down casein & gluten proteins,  Promotes candida/yeast levels,  Diminishes Zn levels and production of stomach acid,  Produces inflammation,  Ineffective barrier to toxic metals at the intestinal mucosa.

Most Popular Autism Therapies Enhance Antioxidant Protection 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Chelation with DMSA, DMPS, EDTA, etc. Methyl B-12 Metallothionein Promotion Transdermal or Injected Glutathione Zn, Se, CoQ-10, Taurine, Vitamins A,C,D,E Alpha Lipoic Acid Risperdal

Mercury Questions  What

% of autism cases are triggered by Hg?  Can “old” Hg stay in the brain and cause continuing damage?  How serious is the continuing daily exposure to Hg from the environment?

Chelation and Oxidative Stress  DMSA

and DMPS are powerful antioxidants.  Chelation can provide antioxidant benefits even if toxic metals are not present.  For many patients, the primary benefits of chelation result from antioxidant properties, and not from removal of Hg or other metals.  Antioxidant benefits from chelation appear to “fade away” after about 2-4 weeks.

Primary Benefits of Chelation  Rapid

removal of toxic metals from peripheral soft tissues & blood, thus preventing their access to the brain,

 Powerful

antioxidant

Limitations of Chelation  Does

not fix intestinal or blood/brain barriers, rendering the patient vulnerable to future toxic exposures,  Antioxidant benefits are temporary, lasting only 2-4 weeks,  May not remove toxic metals from the brain,  Complicates Zn management.

Pfeiffer Treatment Protocol  Identification

& individualized treatment of biochemical imbalances,  MT-Promotion therapy,  Selective use of adjunct therapies - CF/GF diet - Normalization of intestinal flora - Methylation therapies - Digestive enzymes - etc.

MT Promotion Therapy Primary Objective: Advances in cognition, socialization, and speech by enhanced development of immature brain cells and new synaptic connections.

MT Promotion Therapy Secondary Objectives  Elimination of toxic metals & excess Cu  Improved immune function  Healing of the G.I. tract  Reduced food sensitivities  Improved behavior control

MT-Promotion Formulation  Generous

amounts of Zn and GSH which are essential to induction and functioning of MT,  Selenium, Vitamins B-6, C, E, which are known to promote MT,  Supplements of the 14 amino-acid constituents of MT in the proportion they exist in MT proteins.

Unique Advantages of MT-Promotion  Directly

aimed at development of brain cells & new synaptic connections,  Potential for permanently correcting the intestinal and blood/brain barriers,  Restores the natural (and powerful) body system for coping with toxic metals,  Potential for eliminating food sensitivities, yeast problems & intestinal inflammation.

MT Promotion Challenges  Pre-loading

with zinc is necessary to prevent temporary side effects,  Building up tolerance to the MT Promoter formulation can be a slow process for some children,  Commercial lab testing to determine MT status is in its infancy.

A Roadmap for Enhanced Cognition, Speech, and Socialization  Elimination

of toxic metals and excessive oxidative stress,  Behavioral therapy to stimulate development of brain cells and synaptic connections,  MT-Promotion therapy to enable completion of brain maturation.

Summary  Oxidative

stress may be the decisive factor in autism-spectrum disorders.  Treatment protocols aimed at (1) reduction of oxidative stresses and (2) development of new brain cells and synapses are highly promising.  Long-term antioxidant therapy may be needed to prevent loss of brain cells and mental retardation.

THANK YOU!

William J. Walsh, Ph.D. Pfeiffer Treatment Center Warrenville, Illinois www.hriptc.org