Simplifying Autism Improvement and Recovery

Summary

Autism appears to be a highly complex condition. Researchers looking for a single genetic mutation have now found more than 1000 genes that increase the risk of autism. Researchers also looked for a single rising environmental factor, but they found a large number of diverse factors that all increase the risk of autism. The symptoms of autism vary dramatically and there are so many biological symptoms that it's hard to know which areas to focus on.

Despite all this complexity, people are improving and even recovering from autism. And there are new ways of looking at autism that may dramatically simplify our understanding of the condition. When researchers look at the genetic risk factors for autism, the largest cluster of genes are associated with calcium channel signaling. There are some key environmental factors which impact calcium channel signaling. This is relevant because all of the major symptoms of autism are also all impacted by calcium channel signaling.

Calcium channel signaling is used to excite cells. For a neuron, the more excited it is, the higher the probability that it will fire. In autism there is too much excitement (an imbalance of excitement and inhibition--the ability to calm down). Overexcitement, over the long-term, can actually damage cells and interfere with learning and brain development. Viewing autism as a long-term overload of excitement and excitatory environmental factors simplifies this complex condition and allows us to take action to reduce environmental exposures, calm the body, and restore functioning. This clearer understanding of autism may help simplify how we treat the condition and make it easier to improve and even recover.


Simplifying Autism Improvement and Recovery - Slides (pdf format)

Simplifying Autism Improvement and Recovery - Audio (mp3 format)

Simplifying Autism Improvement and Recovery Booklet - (Pending further edits and copywriting)

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Talk and Booklet References
 

[1] What Is Autism?

[2] Ng, Michelle, et al. "Environmental factors associated with autism spectrum disorder: a scoping review for the years 2003-2013." Chronic Diseases and Injuries in Canada 37.1 (2017).

[3] Rossignol, D. A., S. J. Genuis, and R. E. Frye. "Environmental toxicants and autism spectrum disorders: a systematic review." Translational psychiatry 4.2 (2014): e360.

[4] The Environmental and Genetic Causes of Autism (2016) by James Lyons-Weiler

[5] Hallmayer, Joachim, et al. "Genetic heritability and shared environmental factors among twin pairs with autism." Archives of general psychiatry 68.11 (2011): 1095-1102.

[6] Regressive Autism

[7] Herbert, Martha, and Karen Weintraub. The Autism Revolution: whole-body strategies for making life all it can be. Ballantine Books, 2013.

[8] NIH: Autism Spectrum Disorder: Genetics

[9] Wen, Ya, Mohamad J. Alshikho, and Martha R. Herbert. “Pathway Network Analyses for Autism Reveal Multisystem Involvement, Major Overlaps with Other Diseases and Convergence upon MAPK and Calcium Signaling.” Plus one 11.4 (2016): e0153329.

[10 ] Martin Pall “EMFs and Chemicals as the Two Main Drivers of the Autism Epidemic: Mechanisms of Action”

[11] Wu, Jianping, et al. "Structure of the voltage-gated calcium channel Cav1. 1 complex." Science 350.6267 (2015): aad2395.

[12] Büsselberg, Dietrich. "Calcium channels as target sites of heavy metals."Toxicology letters 82 (1995): 255-261.

[13] De Novo Mutations - account for 50% of autism cases

[14] Does autism arise because the brain is continually surprised?

[15] Lozac, N. B. S. "Central role of voltage gated calcium channels and intercellular calcium homeostasis in autism." (2010)

[16] ARI: Treatment ratings for autism

[17] Feske, Stefan. "Ca2+ influx in T cells: How many Ca2+ channels?." Frontiers in immunology 4 (2013): 99.

[18] Herbert, Martha R., and Cindy Sage. "Autism and EMF? Plausibility of a pathophysiological link–Part I."Pathophysiology 20.3 (2013): 191-209.

[19] Herbert, Martha R., and Cindy Sage. "Autism and EMF? Plausibility of a pathophysiological link Part II."Pathophysiology 20.3 (2013): 211-234.

[20] Faber, Scott, et al. "A clean room sleeping environment’s impact on markers of oxidative stress, immune dysregulation, and behavior in children with autism spectrum disorders." BMC complementary and alternative medicine 15.1 (2015): 71.

[21] Naviaux, Robert K. "Metabolic features of the cell danger response." Mitochondrion 16 (2014): 7-17.

[22] “Wired for Healing” by Annie Hopper

[23] How To Do The 4-Part Breath/Square Breathing

[24] Tru-Align Body System

[25] Brain State

[26] Treating Autism – MAPS Doctors & DAN! Doctors

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