Metabolomics and Autism
We aim to discover the early stage biomarkers that indicate that chronic illness is developing.
Why this initiative?
Our partner Naviaux Labs sees autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as an involuntary behavioral syndrome caused by a conserved cellular response to environmental and genetic danger.
Autism is therefore an “ecogenetic” syndrome that alters child development
By treating the root cause of this syndrome, we believe many children will have the chance to lose the symptoms that hold them back. Many children will be able to come off spectrum, and many will be able to live independent lives as adults, when just a few years ago this notion seemed impossible.
What we’re doing
The Naviaux lab has created a unified theory for the cause and treatment of ASD that is called the cell danger theory
Dr. Naviaux proposes that autism is a treatable metabolic syndrome caused by persistent activation of the cell danger response (CDR) produced by persistent abnormalities in purinergic signaling.
About this research
The symptoms of autism are caused by a treatable metabolic syndrome that traces to the abnormal persistence of a normal, alternative functional state of mitochondria. The Naviaux Lab’s small clinical trial published in 2017 suggests this is possible. This first clinical trial tested the safety and efficacy of the medication suramin in children with autism.
https://naviauxlab.ucsd.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Naviaux_APT_Review2017.pdf
Based on a new unifying theory of pathogenesis for autism called the cell danger response (CDR) hypothesis, this study of 10 boys, ages 5–14 years, showed that all 5 boys who received antipurinergic therapy (APT) with a single intravenous dose of suramin experienced improvements in all the core symptoms of autism that lasted for 5–8 weeks. Language, social interaction, restricted interests, and repetitive movements all improved. Two children who were non-verbal spoke their first sentences. None of these improvements were observed in the placebo group. Larger and longer studies are needed to confirm this promising discovery.
We need a statement or quote here.
It’s possible! Vitamin C is a safe, simple, approved immune boosting nutritional therapy that just might make all the difference
Where we are now
Newborn Screening Autism Risk Study - http://naviauxlab.ucsd.edu/study/
Can a new test of 1000 natural and environmental chemicals in a dried blood spot help to predict the future risk of autism?
Has the burden of environmental chemicals increased in newborn children since the 1980s?
These are the questions that the lab will try to answer with this study.
https://ucsdnews.ucsd.edu/feature/predicting-autism-risk-may-begin-with-a-drop-of-bloo