Vaccine Discounted as a Link to Autism/ Fragile X/ Fluvoxamine

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February 20, 2001 Search www.feat.org/search/news.asp

Also: * Ireland Looks at China’s Use of Music, Art for Autism

* Fragile-X Syndrome Linked With Abnormal Dendritic Spine

* FMR1 Gene And Fragile X Syndrome

* Behavior Phenotype of FG Syndrome

* Fluvoxamine Effective Treatment For OCD in Children

* New Service for Special Needs, New Zealand

Vaccine Discounted as a Link to Autism

[by O'Neil.]

http://www.nytimes.com/2001/02/20/health/20OUTC.html?printpage=yes

An analysis of vaccination data in Britain shows no support for the

theory that the sharp increase in cases of autism is related to the vaccine

for measles, mumps and rubella, according to an article published Saturday

by The British Medical Journal.

A growing number of parents are refusing to have the vaccine given to

their children, and Congress last year called for more research.

For the new study, researchers led by Dr. A. Kaye, an

epidemiologist at the Boston University School of Medicine, examined data

that include almost all children born in the United Kingdom from 1988 to

1993.

The vaccine was introduced in 1988, and was in widespread use by the

time the children born that year reached 15 months, the typical age for the

shot.

In an interview, Dr. Kaye said that if the MMR vaccine had a major

effect on autism incidence, lines tracking the proportion of children

vaccinated and the proportion diagnosed would be expected to move in tandem.

Instead, the researchers found that the vaccination level stayed

essentially flat, at 97 percent, while among boys the risk of having an

autism diagnosis between the ages of 2 and 5 rose to 29 per 10,000 for those

born in 1993 from 8 per 10,000 for those born in 1988. Dr. Kaye said earlier

studies had seized on an increase during the years the MMR shot was being

introduced to suggest a link. " But if the risk of disease is still going up,

and the rate of vaccination isn't, you can't say that the vaccine is still

accounting for the increase in risk, " he said.

Instead, Dr. Kaye suggested that the increase in incidence of autism

could be linked to an " increased awareness of the condition among parents

and general practitioners, changing diagnostic criteria or environmental

factors not yet identified. " Copyright 2001 The New York Times Company

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Ireland Looks at China’s Use of Music, Art for Autism

[From Miriam Donohoe, in Beijing.]

http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/ireland/2001/0220/hom21.htm

A major agreement on education co-operation between China and Ireland

was signed by the Minister for Education, Dr Woods, and his Chinese

counterpart, Madam Chen Zhili, in Beijing yesterday.

The Minister said joint research projects would be very important for

both countries. Areas where it is hoped to cooperate on research are

computer software development, information technology, biotechnology and

environmental protection.

Mr Woods told The Irish Times he was anxious for information exchange in

this area, in particular the education of autistic children.

He visited the Beijing Haidian Intelligence ing School for

special-needs children and said he was very impressed with the techniques

employed. The school uses music and arts to communicate with autistic

children.

" I think there is a lot we can learn from the Chinese in this area, "

he added.

The mutual recognition of degrees and other qualifications between

both countries will mean that doctors, for example, who qualify in China

will have their degree recognised in Ireland and visa versa.

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Fragile-X Syndrome Linked With Abnormal Dendritic Spine Characteristics

[This article contains technical language.]

http://www.medscape.com/reuters/prof/2001/02/02.20/20010219clin003.html

Reuters Health - Patients with fragile-X syndrome exhibit abnormal

morphology and number of dendritic spines in the temporal and visual

cortical areas, researchers report in the January issue of the American

Journal of Medical Genetics.

Dr. T. Greenough of the University of Illinois at

Urbana-Champaign and a multi-center team analyzed autopsy material from

temporal and visual cortices of four individuals with fragile-X syndrome and

five age-matched controls.

" In addition to confirming the lack of proper maturation of the presynaptic

element of brain cell connections in fragile-X syndrome, we have, for the

first time, identified increased numbers of dendritic spines in multiple

brain regions, " coauthor Dr. A. Irwin told Reuters Health.

" There seems to be a grossly decreased amount of maturation of brain

cell connections in fragile-X syndrome, as evidenced by our findings of

increased numbers of immature- looking dendritic spines and a decreased

number of mature-looking spines in both the temporal and visual cortical

areas, " Dr. Irwin said.

" Our finding of increased numbers of dendritic spines, which suggest

increased brain cell connectivity, may explain why those with the syndrome

may be more prone to seizures and why they might be more sensitive to

sensory stimuli, " Dr. Irwin noted.

" Ultimately, a cure will most likely come from gene therapy or

replacing the missing fragile-X mental retardation protein, " he added. - Am

J Med Genet 2001;98:161-167.

* * *

FMR1 Gene And Fragile X Syndrome

[This article contains technical language.]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve & db=PubMed & list_ui

ds=11180223 & dopt=Abstract <-- address ends here.

1: Am J Med Genet 2000 Feb;97(2):153-163 Bardoni B, Mandel JL, Fisch GS

Taxonomic features of fragile X syndrome (FXS) associated with the

fragile X mutation have evolved over several decades. Males are more

severely impacted cognitively than females, but both show declines in IQ

scores as they age. Although many males with FXS exhibit autistic-like

features, autism does not occur more frequently in males with FXS than among

males with mental retardation (MR).

FXS is caused by inactivation of the FMR1 gene located on Xq27.3.

FMRP, the protein produced by FMR1, has been detected in most organs and in

brain. In cells, it is located primarily in cytoplasm and contains motifs

found in RNA-binding proteins. The FMRP N-terminal contains a functional

nuclear localization signal which permits the protein to shuttle between

cytoplasm and nucleus.

FMR1 knockout mice show subtle behavioral and visual-spatial

difficulties. Analysis of their brain tissue suggests absence of FMRP

impairs synaptic maturation. Individuals with the fragile premutation

produce FMRP, and the phenotype associated with the premutation has been

controversial. However, there seems to be a higher incidence of premature

ovarian failure in women with the premutation than is found in the general

female population.

This may be related to unusual increases in mRNA levels in premutation

carriers. Am. J. Med. Genet. (Semin. Med. Genet.) 97:153-163, 2000.

Copyright 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc. PMID: 11180223

* * *

Behavior Phenotype of FG Syndrome

Cognition, Personality, And Behavior In Eleven Affected Boys

[FG Syndrome is a chromosomal disorder that affects males. It may be

observed as mental retardation in some but not all individuals. Also the

anus may be abnormally placed or, in some cases, imperforate.

Constipation, diminished muscle tone and a large head may be observed.

Children with FG Syndrome are often outgoing and hyperactive with a short

attention span. This article contains technical language.]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve & db=PubMed & list_ui

ds=11180218 & dopt=Abstract

1: Am J Med Genet 2000 Feb;97(2):112-118 Ozonoff S, BJ, Rauch AM,

Opitz JM

In this study we examined several behavioral, personality, and

cognitive characteristics of boys with FG syndrome. We confirmed high rates

of attention and activity level problems, which were described previously.

Nine of the 11 patients met criteria for attention deficit/hyperactivity

disorder.

The boys did not manifest autistic behavior, and none met criteria for

an autism spectrum disorder, though their parents reported substantial

repetitive behavior. The personalities of the participants often were

described as friendly, good-natured, and cheerful, but they did not differ

empirically on a standardized measure of personality structure from

typically developing comparison children, even after controlling for the

effects of IQ.

Specifically, higher rates of agreeableness and extraversion were not

confirmed, though these constructs do not correspond perfectly with the

traits of affability and gregariousness described in earlier published case

studies of FG syndrome. In terms of neuropsychological assessment, the boys

had relatively less developed language, fine motor, and executive function

skills, and visual-spatial abilities were a relative strength. Limitations

and suggestions for future research are discussed. Am. J. Med. Genet.

(Semin. Med. Genet.) 97:112-118, 2000. Copyright 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

PMID: 11180218

* * *

Fluvoxamine Effective Treatment For Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in

Children

http://www.medscape.com/reuters/prof/2001/02/02.20/20010219clin004.html

Reuters Health - Fluvoxamine reduces the severity of obsessive and

compulsive symptoms in children and adolescents, with a faster onset of

action than that observed in adults, according to results of a multicenter

trial in the US. Dr. Mark A. Riddle, of s Hopkins Hospital, in

Baltimore, and associates randomly assigned 120 subjects, ages 8 to 17

years, to double-blind treatment with fluvoxamine 50 to 200 mg daily or

placebo for a 10-week period.

Thirty-eight subjects in the fluvoxamine group and 36 in the placebo

group completed the study. Results appear in the February issue of the

Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Based on

the intent-to-treat analysis at week 10, the researchers found that 42% of

those taking fluvoxamine were classified as responders versus 26% of those

taking placebo.

Adverse events tended to be mild and well tolerated. One

placebo-treated subject and three fluvoxamine-treated subjects withdrew from

the study because of adverse events, none of which were considered serious.

J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2001:40:222-229.

* * *

New Service for Special Needs, New Zealand

[by Francesca Mold And Libby Middlebrook .]

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/storydisplay.cfm?storyID=173057 & thesection=news & th

esubsection=general <-- address ends here.

The country's education service for children with special needs is to

be replaced by a new version controlled by the Education Ministry.

Education Minister Trevor Mallard and his associate minister, Lianne

Dalziel, yesterday revealed the plans to disestablish Specialist Education

Services (SES).

The decision follows a report by Dr Wylie that recommended the

change. She found angry parents and a system rife with inequalities for the

25,000 to 30,000 pupils reliant on SES.

Sue on, a Howick mother of two children with disabilities, said

she was pleased to hear of the change, although there needed to be an

attitude shift across the entire education system, driven by the new

organisation.

Her daughter, , 14, who has Autistic Spectrum Disorder, had been

shunted through more than four mainstream schools. One group of teachers had

clapped when they heard was leaving.

" It's the alienation and rejection you feel so profoundly. "

The changes are still being worked through, and the new organisation

will not be formed until next year.

Specialist Education Services was set up as a crown entity in 1989 to

work with special-needs children, their schools and families. In 1997,

Education Minister Wyatt Creech created the SE2000 policy which made SES'

services contestable, so that it was forced to charge schools and parents or

take a portion of Government funding attached to each child.

Mr Mallard said concerns about the effect of contestability in terms

of increasing overhead costs and creating fragmentation were a big reason

for the restructuring.

Officials are considering setting up between 4 and 6 regional centres,

with a further 4 to 8 local offices stemming from each one, to replace SES.

Mr Mallard said he expected several million dollars would be saved by

the restructuring. This money would be reinvested in services for children.

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