Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic and degenerative disease of the central nervous system which is characterized by axonal myelin destruction and progressive neurological dysfunction. Multiple sclerosis represents the most frequent cause of chronic neurological disability in the young adult.

Clinical Types Of Multiple Sclerosis

1. Relapsing-Remitting form. In this form after a period of stable symptoms appear episodes of worsening called� relapses, attacks, exacerbation or flare-up. These episodes may be followed by parietal or complete periods of recovery free of symptomatic progression. Approximately 85% of affected people have this form of multiple sclerosis at the time of their diagnosis. It is to mention that this new relapse is defined as new symptoms onset or aggravation of old ones that last more than 48 hours and are separated from other symptoms by at least one month.
2. Primary-Progressive form.In this form there is a slow but nearly continuous worsening of symptoms from the onset, with no distinct relapses or remissions. This is the pattern for about 10% of patients and there may be occasional plateaus or temporary minor improvement.
3. Secondary-Progressive form. In this form the initial periods of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis are followed by steady worsening of symptoms with or without occasional flare-up, remissions or plateaus. About 50% of those with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis develop this form within 10 years of their initial diagnosis.
4. Progressive-Relapsing form. In this form there is a steady worsening of symptoms that occur from the time of onset with clear acute attacks, with or without recovery. Approximately 5% of patients have or develop this form of disease.

Multiple Sclerosis

There are many tests aimed to qualify the neurological deficit in multiple sclerosis. EDSS (Expanded Disability Status Scale) is one of the most used means to evaluate the disease.

The EDSS scale extends from 0 (normal neurological examination) to 10 (death from multiple sclerosis complications) in 0.5 unit increments. EDSS 1.0 to 4.5 refers to patients with unaffected amublation capacity. The precise step are denoted by functional scores which are graded from normal (0) to maximal impairment (5 or 6) for pyramidal, cerebellar, brein stem, sensory, bowel, bladder, visual, cerebral, mental and other functions. EDSS 5.0 to 9.5 are defined by impairment to ambulation.

Multiple sclerosis prognosis is variable and individual but generally it is associated with a 5 to 10 years of life expectancy and is influenced by the burden of accumulated handicaps that may significantly influence the quality of life.

Multiple Sclerosis Outcome Predicting Factors

• Factors associated with a relatively good outcome:

1. Female gender.
2. Onset with optic nevritis.
3. Predominantly sensory signs.
4. Neurological examination without objective findings.
5. Low relapse rate over the first year.
6. Lack of coordination and walking involvement.
7. No evidence of progression.

• Factors associated with a relatively worse outcome:

1. Male gender.
2. Onset with major pyramidal symptoms (walking), balance and coordination.
3. High relapse rate over the firs year.
4. Progressive disease.

Multiple Sclerosis Treatment

Multiple sclerosis dose not benefits from etiological treatment, only pathogenical according to the presumtion that there is an autoimmune side of the disease. According to clinical trials evidences exist ” disease modifying therapies” that allows relapse reduction by slowing the disease progression and for this reason treatment is staged.

Multiple Sclerosis Treatment

Relapse treatment consists in corticotherapy with Methil-predinsolone intravenously for 3 to 5 days, followed by oral therapy with a progressive dose reduction. In sever forms of multiple sclerosis, treatment consists in plasma exchange.

Because is an autoimmune disease of central nervous system, multiple sclerosis also benefit from:

• Immunmodulatory treatment with beta 1-b interferon (betaferon) or beta 1-a interferon (avonex) and capxone (glatiramer acetat).
• Immunosupressive treatment with mithotaxone, azathioprine and methotrexate.
• Lymphocytotoxic medication, cladribine an analogue of purinic nucleoside with lymphocytotoxic effect.
• Monoclonal antibodies against some surface antigens of lymphocytes and monocytes (alemtuzumab) or against the adhesion molecules needed for lymphocytes to penetrate blood brain barrier (natalizumab).

Symptomatic treatment consists of muscle relaxants, neurotrophic medication, vitamins, analgetic medication, antidepressive medication and fatigue medication.

General care, physical rehabilitation, psychotherapy and social reintegration of multiple sclerosis patients are very important.

Testosterone

Testosterone, the principal male sex hormone, can prevent depression – a mood disorder characterized by �loss of interest or pleasure in everyday activities, accompanied by other signs like lack of appetite, fatigue and sleep disorders. The exact mechanisms of the antidepressant effect of this hormone�are not yet known, but�Nicole Carrier and Mohamed Kabbaj, scientists at Florida State University are trying to figure them out. They reported their discoveries in an article for the�Biological Psychiatry ,�the official journal of the Society of Biological Psychiatry,�one of the most selective and highly cited journals in the field of psychiatric neuroscience.

Testosterone Vial

Their findings are that there is a specific pathway in the hippocampus that mediates testosterone’s effects. The hippocampus is a part of the limbic system – a set of brain structures that play an important role in emotion, long-term memory, behaviour and also olfaction.

The hypothesis for this study emerged from the fact that women are twice as much predisposed to develop depression that men. Also, men suffering from hypogonadism (which is a decrease in the activity of the gonads, resulting in lower levels of testosterone) have more signs of depression and anxiety which appear to be alleviated by testosterone replacement therapy.

Knowing how testosterone affects emotions in humans is of a great importance because this may lead the way to the �development of a new generation of antidepressant therapies. �To find how does testosterone influence the processes in the brain, scientists performed many experiments on male rats that were previously neutered. All the rats developed behaviors that are linked to depression, and these behaviors were reversed with testosterone replacement therapy.

Mohamed�Kabbaj explains that “we have identified a molecular pathway called MAPK/ERK2 (mitogen activated protein kinase/ extracellular regulated kinase 2) in the hippocampus that plays a major role in mediating the protective effects of testosterone.” This pathway could be a target for new antidepressants. This finding that in order to record the antidepressant effects of testosterone, it is necessary that the ERK2 protein functions properly.

Kabbaj added, “Interestingly, the beneficial effects of testosterone were not associated with changes in neurogenesis (generation of new neurons) in the hippocampus as it is the case with other classical antidepressants like imipramine and fluoxetine.”

Other studies made by the same group have shown that the antidepressant effect of testosterone can only be observed in the male rats. Female rats with depression-associated behaviors do not seem to benefit from the testosterone therapy.

Curcumin Can Combat Parkinson's Disease According To New Study

Curcumin, a compound of an asian spice known as turmeric, can be the next cure for Parkinson disease. It was discovered by researchers at Michigan State University that this particular substance can prevent the agglutination of a protein involved in the pathology of this disease. Parkinson disease is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system characterized by insufficient formation and activity of dopamine, and also by the presence of Lewy bodies.

Curcumin

The Lewy bodies are inclusions found in the neuron that are formed by the accumulation and clumping of a protein called alpha-synuclein, as was demonstrated earlier this year by researchers led by Basir Ahmad, an MSU postdoctoral researcher.

This new study led by Ahmal shows that curcumin binds to alpha-synuclein�and thus prevents it from aggregating�in neurons. Lisa Lapidus, MSU associate professor of physics said: �Our research shows that curcumin can rescue proteins from aggregation, the first steps of many debilitating diseases.�More specifically, curcumin binds strongly to alpha-synuclein�and prevents aggregation at body temperatures.�

Proteins are made by amino-acids, that bind into a chain. This chain can take a particular three-dimensional form by a process known as folding. Although it was previously believed that alpha-synuclein was natively unfolded, it is now a known fact that this protein forms a stably folded tetramer that resist aggregation. Mutations in the genes that codes alpha-synuclein make it fold at a slower speed, thus increasing the tendency to aggregate into�insoluble fibrils.

This pathological process of forming neuronal inclusions can be stopped by curcumin. This compound binds to alpha-synuclein, not only inhibiting it from aggregating, but also�raising the protein's folding speed which blocks its tendency to clump with other proteins.

This result is a very important step in developing a new treatment for Parkinson disease and other pathological conditions characterized by Lewy bodies, but there are also other factors that should be taken into account until the patients can benefit from these findings. First of all, curcumin cannot pass through the blood-brain barrier and thus cannot bind to alpha-synuclein.�Curcumin's usefulness as an actual drug may be pretty limited since it doesn’t go into the brain easily where this�misfolding�is taking place,� said Lapidus.

The results of the study are published in the current issue of the Journal of Biological Chemistry.

Hiatal Hernia Diagnosis And Treatment

Normally a hiatal hernia is discovered when evaluating a patient for another condition. When the�patient presents to the doctor�due to a�burning sensation, heat or chest pain, the doctor will ask the patient about symptoms and characteristics of hiatal hernia�that�will guide him to perform certain tests if the following conditions are present:

• Heartburn for a long time
• Symptoms not relieved by medication
• Symptoms return after cessation of drug treatment
• Other signs are present such weight loss, vomiting blood or dysphagia.

If any of these symptoms are present�it is probably�a case of�esophageal reflux disease. Hiatal hernia and esophageal reflux disease coexist in many cases. The doctor will now�indicate specific tests to confirm the diagnosis. Most hiatal hernias are diagnosed�using barium examination, an imaging technique that�examines the upper digestive tract.�The patient�will swallow a mixture of barium and water, the mixture will pass�through the esophagus to the stomach and initial portion of the small intestine (duodenum), being followed by a fluoroscopy connected to a monitor, which uses X-rays to detect the passage of the mixture.�Superior gastrointestinal�endoscopy – a procedure that the�physician�uses to�visualize the esophagus, stomach and small intestine using a thin flexible tube that is called an�endoscope –�it is�a common method of diagnosis of hiatal hernia. If chest pain and dyspnea are present, further investigations for heart disease are performed.

Hiatal Hernia Treatment

Hiatal�Hernia�General Measures

A sliding hiatal hernia that causes no symptoms, does not require any specific�treatment. If�symptoms of hiatal hernia are present, then they can�range from mild to severe. Severe symptoms of esophageal reflux disease can usually be successfully treated�with the aid of�medication. In some cases, less common, sliding hiatal hernia can be treated surgically – fundoplasty, the hernia is restored in the chest cavity and sutured so that it remains in the abdominal cavity. Mild or occasional symptoms can be treated�using only�lifestyle changes and�certain drugs that�do not require prescription. In the case of paraesophageal hernia or mixed hernia surgery is usually recommend in order�to avoid complications. This requires�the patient to�present to the doctor�as soon as possible.

Hiatal Hernia�Home Treatment

In�case of�sliding hiatal hernia there is no need for�medication or surgery.� Mild symptoms of burning or heartburn can be relieved by making some lifestyle changes:

• Smoking cessation. Nicotine found�in cigarettes relaxes the lower esophageal valve. This will lead to gastric reflux from the stomach into the esophagus, which will cause heartburn.
• Eating habits change. For example avoid coffee and alcohol and eat meals in smaller quantities and more frequent. This will decrease the risk of heartburn. When you talk to your doctor about changing eating habits is good to bring your life partner.
• Weight loss for overweight patients. The extra pounds�increase the pressure on the stomach and increases the likelihood of heartburn. Even a few pounds weight loss is beneficial
• Avoid pressure on the stomach to decrease the likelihood of heartburn. Avoid�to stretch the�back for 2 to 3 hours after eating and avoid tight clothing around the stomach
• Cephalic extremity of the patient (the head)�is raised to 15 to 20 cm by lifting the mattress with certain devices. This will reduce the stomach contents reflux during sleep. Using pillows for�neck lift�is not beneficial because they�can cause�a stiff neck, which can aggravate heartburn. Along with some lifestyle changes, drugs that do not need a�prescription can be taken�to control mild symptoms. These include antacids and acid secretion blockers, antacids.

Hiatal Hernia Causes And Symptoms

A hernia occurs when tissue from the abdomen is exhibited through an orifice of the abdominal muscle wall. When the herniation forms inside the thoracic cavity it�is called hiatal�hernia. There are three types of hiatal�hernia: sliding hernia, paraesophageal�hernia�and mixed type. Sliding hiatal�hernia is the most common and usually�it is�not serious condition.�Paraesophageal�Hernia and the�mixt type hernia�may develop complications�making them�more severe conditions.

Hiatal Hernia Causes

The�limit between the abdomen and thorax is formed by a thin muscle called the diaphragm.�The passage of the�esophagus (a muscular tube that connects the throat and stomach) through the diaphragm is made through a hole called the hiatus. Hiatal hernia occurs when muscle tissue from the hiatus weakens. In case of sliding hernia, a small portion of the stomach slides into the chest through the diaphragm and is positioned above the abdomen in the thorax. The�esophageal sphincter, which separates the esophagus from the stomach, is also positioned above the diaphragm.

Hiatal Hernia Symptoms

Usually in case of sliding hernia there are�no symptoms present. If�they do appear, they are caused by acid reflux (ie, gastric reflux from the stomach into the esophagus) due to�the loosened�esophageal sphincter. Gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms include:

• Heartburn, accompanied by heat and pain. Occurs after eating, lying down or bending forward. In medical terms�it is called heartburn.
• Sour or salty taste in mouth. Is also due to reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus. Usually this symptoms�accompanies heartburn, but can sometimes be the�one and�only symptom.

Secondary symptoms:

• Upper abdominal fullness after meals
• Difficulties in food ingestion (dysphagia) and�the feeling of a�“lump” in throat
• Nausea
• Hoarse voice.

If symptoms are severe or continue for a long period of time,�they may be gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), food and gastric reflux into the esophagus, with an�increased duration and frequency than for heartburn. Hiatal�hernia and GERD, are diseases that usually occur together but it is not a rule.

Treatment of GERD may require medication rigorously followed�or in some�severe cases surgical treatment. In case of�shortness of breath or chest pain the possibility�of heart disease�should be taken into account. Heartburn usually occurs after meals�when stomach contents reflux. Heart pain is usually felt as a pressure sensation, stinging, tightness, or generalized discomfort in the chest, which usually occurs after the patient�exercises. Large sliding hernias can cause�gastric ulcers, gastric mucosal erosions�which are located in the hiatus. These ulcers�are�diagnosed�using endoscopy�in up to�5% of patients with hiatal hernia.

Heart Attack And Stroke Can Be Prevented By Treating Psoriasis

A clinical study led by the�Montreal Heart Institute and Innovaderm Research Inc. showed an association between a new treatment for psoriasis and�a significant�incidence decrease of cardiovascular disease and�vascular inflammation. The results of the study were presented on the 16th of March 2012 at the annual meeting of American Academy of Dermatology.

Psoriasis

Up to 3% of the population are affected by psoriasis, which is a disease characterised�by the inflammation of the skin and joints. This study was based on the hypothesis that the treatment used to reduce the skin inflammation may also decrease the inflammation of the blood vessels.

The results of the study confirmed this hypothesis, proving that adalimumab, a biological anti-inflammatory compound used in the treatment of psoriasis also decreased the vascular inflammation by lowering the levels of C-reactive protein. This protein is associated with a higher risk of heart attack and stroke. There was a significant 51% decrease in the blood levels of C-reactive protein among patients who were receiving adalimumab while in the control group the blood levels of this protein decreased only by 2%. Also, the skin inflammation symptoms were improved in 70% of patients treated with adalimumab, compared to 20% of patients in the control group.

“This study is a great example of the high-level research being conducted in Montréal,�” said�Dr. Robert�Bissonnette, President and Founder of�Innovaderm�Research Inc. and co-principal author of the study.

“These findings are extremely encouraging for people suffering from psoriasis, as they face a greater risk of cardiovascular disease,” explained Dr. Jean-Claude Tardif, Director of the Research Centre of the Montreal Heart Institute and co-principal author of the study. A regular medical follow-up is very important for patients with psoriasis so that cardiovascular events can be prevented and so that the therapeutic approach established is optimum, he added.

Imaging as a tool for measuring vascular inflammation

The clinical study was conducted over a period of four months on 30 patients divided into two groups. The patients were suffering from moderate to severe psoriasis and they also has a history of artery disease or multiple cardiovascular risk factors. The first group received adalimumab in the form of subcutaneous injections, while the second group received a routine treatment that implied topical formulation of phototherapy. Each patient’s carotid arteries and aorta were scanned at the beginning and the end of the study by using positron emission tomography, which can measure �the level of vascular inflammation.

Cancer Surviving Children Show Delays In Cognitive And Motor Skills

According to new study which was published in the Journal of Pediatric Psychology, toddlers and infants who were treated for cancer show a delay in cognitive and motor skills, compared with healthy children of same age. Researchers observed that the delays in development stages appear in first stages of cancer therapy and for this reason children with cancer,�in addition to specific therapy should benefit from physical and language therapy.

Scientists observed that children treated for cancer before age of 4 years presented a delay in cognitive function such as attention and memory, in vocabulary and in motor skills, compared with healthy children of same age. It was also observed that social and emotional development or playing ability was not influenced, because the way in which these children interact with their parents or the capacity to engage in make-believe games, such as serving tea or cooking, skills that normally develop between 12 and 18 months were unaffected.

This study is very important because nowadays survival rates in pediatric cancers have increased and for this reason quality of life of this children should be similar to a healthy person.

In this study were included 61 children aged between 6 months and 3.5 years, who were were treated for hematological cancers. Average age of diagnosis was 19 months and average period of anticancer therapy was 3 months. Researchers were interested in evaluating cognitive, emotional and motor skills development of this children and for this actions they used a series of assessments:

• To identify a toy by name it, which reflects the capacity to understand language;
• A age-related tests that reflects cognitive development which include the ability to pay attention, to memorize and to classify objects;
• Children ability to walk, crawl or sit up, actions that reflects gross-motor skills and the assessment of fine-motor skills which are reflected by�realization of precise movements like using a fork.

Child

Scientists also studied the way that this children are enrolled in playing activities with their mothers, which mainly reflects social and emotional development. In this actions researchers were interested in the level of involvement in playing, in rate of responsiveness and in the ability to explore new toys or in the capacity to engage in make-believe games. Mothers were�interviewed about language ability of their children and about children’s behavior before and after anticancer treatment.

The findings showed that children treated for cancer presented a delay in language, cognitive and motor skills compared with healthy children of same age, because this children scored 7 points below healthy children in tests of mental development and 14 points below healthy children in motor skills testes. Scientists did not found differences in social and emotional skills.

“It’s important to stress that we documented a broad range of scores. Every child’s experience is different. Some were nearly on target for achieving milestones, some were far behind. The key message, however, is that parents and health care professionals should realize that such delays are a real potential, and they should be factored into decisions on the care a child receives. We’ve demonstrated that the impact of the disease and its treatment can appear early on. It suggests that the earlier health care providers start addressing these concerns, the better.”, researchers said.

This study shows that for a higher quality of life in pediatric cancer survivors therapy through social interaction should begin early in cancer treatment and not to wait until cancer is in remission, as most practitioners consider is indicated. Scientists consider that this research should lead to future studies to determine if therapy through social interaction should be applied after first round of chemotherapy.

Endocannabinoid Compound

Although it seems impossible, new research shows�how a person could lose weight without any�exercise and without adopting any drastic�diet. This discovery, tested on mice by Italian and�UC Irvine Researchers, is based on limiting the brain�production of a compound called endocannabinoid 2-AG. Dr. Daniele Piomelli, one of the world’s leading endocannabinoid�researchers, thinks the endocannabinoid�2-AG production limitation can induce a state of hipercatabolism�that would help people lose weight. So far the results�of the�study�are very�promising.

Researchers found that mice who consumed more fat and exercised less�than�their peers have not gained weight. In addition, despite�a high calorie diet and a�sedentary lifestyle, tested mice did not develop metabolic syndrome, a complication that generally occurs�under these conditions.

Abdominal Fat and Metabolic Syndrome

The fact that mice have not gained weight has an explanation: tested mice�burned fat�quickly and more calories than normal mice.�It�is a�well-known fact�that endocannabinoids play a key role in energy dissipation, but only now scientists have discovered a target where this occurs. Mutant mice, whose production of 2-AG was limited, have kept their weight�due to�brown fat which became overactive.� Brown fat�has more mitochondria in contrast to normal adipose tissue.�Up until recently, people thought that this type of fat�was found only in young children in order to provide heat. Recently, researchers found that�brown fat is also�present in adults, but in smaller amounts. This type of fat has also been considered a new weapon against obesity as�researchers found that obese persons�have less brown fat than normal weight counterparts.

Endocannabinoids�are compounds produced naturally in the body, which contain a chemical structure similar to that of marijuana, namely cannabis. Endocannabinoids�linked to cell receptors, called cannabinoid receptors,�which are �involved in various processes, such as the body’s response to pain, appetite or�mood. Also, endocannabinoids�are responsible for unruly appetite�from food, especially to those that contain fat. When fatty foods arrive in the gut, a group of cells in the digestive system releases endocannabinoids, a phenomenon which does not�occur when eating proteins or sugars. Scientists believe that this mechanism involves the release of digestive compounds linked to hunger and satiety and therefore one feels�the need�to eat more.

However, according to Piomelli it is�impossible to create a drug that�blocks production of 2-AG in humans. At most, researchers will try to produce a drug that determines�the brain to produce fewer endocannabinoids. Therefore, sports, diet and healthy lifestyle are still the key to success in the fight against obesity.

The Immune System The Culprit Behind Depression

Depression is the pathological equivalent of normal sadness, a somber, disagreeable felling, that qualitatively differs from normal sadness by�its pathological intensity, duration, type of occurrence and reactivity. Depression is affecting one in ten adults, regardless of gender,�making� researchers believe depression is deeply rooted in the human brain. This�assumption has made�scientists believe that depression may be in fact actually an�advantage in evolutionary terms.

Until now, researchers only studied how depression is affecting social behavior and which is the evolutionary role of this disease.�A�recent study�conducted by�scientists from the Winship Cancer Institute and from the University of Arizona�revealed that�between depression and inflammation (produced by the immune system) certain connection exist, making them to believe that throughout evolution, depression which is�caused by some genetic variations can represent�a defense mechanism that helped our ancestors fight infection. This study was published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry.

“Most of the genetic variations that have been linked to depression turn out to affect the function of the immune system. This led us to rethink why depression seems to stay embedded in the genome.”, said the leader of researchers team.

With this study researchers found that�between depression and inflammation (as a result of the over-stimulation of the immune system)�a certain link. The idea is supported by the�fact that depressive patients present an�increased inflammatory activity,�in the absence of�infection.�It also very�important to note that high levels of inflammatory markers are not a consequence of depression.

Depressed Woman

Before mankind discovered antibiotics, the main cause of death was infection.�The human body responded and fought�infection�resorting�to�some�behavioral changes which are similar to depression symptoms. Scientists believe that�in addition to immune responses�emerged for�controlling an�infection certain depressive symptoms�like fatigue, inactivity, anorexia and social avoidance�are also present.�It is thought that�these ‘defence�mechanisms’ are designed to limit the transmission of infection.

This new hypothesis may explain�why stress is a risk factor for depression because�researchers now�think that depression and stress�are interconnected�and�are seen�as a�mechanism that can activate the immune system in anticipation of an injury. It was observed that changes in sleep patterns, symptoms that are found both in depression and stressed patients�can activate the immune system.

This new hypothesis has important clinical relevance�as�scientists now�believe that by measuring inflammatory markers they will be able to assess�depression treatment�response. Researchers also hope that their findings�will lead to new treatment�options for�patients�suffering from�treatment-resistant depression,�making use of�drugs�that are�currently�prescribed for treating�autoimmune diseases.

Autism Patients May Benefit From Adopting A Gluten-free And Casein-free Diet

Researchers at Penn State discovered that symptoms associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) could be improved by eliminating gluten and casein from the children's diet. The effectiveness of this kind of diet was documented using survey data from parents. Gastrointestinal symptoms�and�allergies�are�more common�in children�with�autism spectrum disorder. Some�experts believe that�peptides�derived from�gluten�or casein�can�trigger an immune response�or�may cause�gastrointestinal symptoms and behavioral problems.

Child with Autism

The data used in this study came from 387 parents or primary caregivers of children with ASD who completed an online survey containing 90 items regarding�the child’s gastrointestinal symptoms, food allergy or suspected food sensitivities and the children’s adherence to diet. The result, published in the journal of Nutiotional Neuroscience, was that gluten-free and casein-free diets not only improved the gastrointestinal and allergy symptoms, but also increased the social behavior of these children – attention spam, language production, eye contact. The effectiveness of the gluten-free, casein-free diet is notably greater in children that associate gastrointestinal ans allergy symptoms compared to those that do not show these symptoms.

These new findings throw a different perspective on autism. Laura Cousino Klein (associate professor of bio-behavioral health and human development and family studies) suggests that autism is not only a neurological disease, but that it also involves the immune system and gastrointestinal tract: “There are strong connections between the immune system and the brain, which are mediated through multiple physiological symptoms”. Lowering the intake of gluten and casein, the inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract is reduced and thus the body is more receptive to ASD therapies because the brain processes are no longer altered by the discomfort generated in this area.

The team also discovered that by�eliminating all gluten and casein from�the�diet is more effective in improving social behaviors than just reducing their intake. Another important factor is the duration of the diet, parents who implemented the diet for less than six months reported less improvement of their children’s behavioral �symptoms. It has also been discovered that eliminating both casein and gluten is more beneficial than eliminating just one of them.

The research focused on gluten and casein because these two are the most immunoreactive, but there are also other proteins – like soy proteins – that may also have an impact on the disease’s evolution. �“A child’s skin and blood tests for gluten and casein allergies can be negative, but the child still can have a localized immune response in the gut that can lead to behavioral and psychological symptoms. When you add that in with autism you can get an exacerbation of effects,” said Klein.