Treating Physical Symptoms

Paul C. Lee, M.D.
Medical Director, HANS

We, as western-medicine trained physicians, have known Autism as an incurable disease with no available treatment. So, why bother diagnosing these children when there is no treatment?

With alarming increase in the incidence, much research is underway. Recent studies have shown that many of these children have significant co-existing medical (physiological) conditions that need to be addressed. This is an emerging field, and clear-cut treatment protocols are lacking. Much of it sounds very alternative to most of us, therefore seemingly dismissable. However, despite the lack of proper evidence-based approach, much anecdotal and circumstantial evidence exists that some of these treatments can be very effective. Some of those are presented in the next page. Most physicians, who have spent some time researching this “medical treatment” piece of autism, will agree that they are definitely worth a trial.

One important fact to remember is that Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) seems to be composed of multiple diseases presenting with similar symptoms. Therefore, there is not one treatment that works for everyone with ASD. The extreme variability demands highly individualized treatment plan, and sorting through this even for one child can be a monumental task for any medical professional. Working with the parents, and strongly encouraging them to become their child’s own case manager, may be the best conceptual approach. However, also remember that many of these parents are already overwhelmed with the child’s needs. As of this writing, plans are being developed to initiate a nurse case management system.

Many researchers now believe that ASD is triggered by an auto-immune process, affecting multiple systems including the GI tract, the brain and the liver. Significantly elevated levels of auto-antibodies against multiple antigens, including Myelin Basic Protein (MBP), have been detected in ASD. GI endoscopy studies have shown significant numbers of esophagitis, duodenitis, colitis and lymphoid nodular hyperplasia. The majority of these children have allergies or sensitivities to milk products. Over 90% has been shown to have very low sulfate levels. Phenol-sulfur-transferase (PST), thought to be a key mechanism in detoxification, has been found to be very low in most of these children. Glutathion peroxidase and superoxide dismutase (important in antioxidant mechanism to inactivate free radicals) were found to be significantly lower than controls.

It is thought that many of the “autistic behaviors” are manifestations of physiological conditions. Head-banging and sleep disturbances may be responses to pain, unable to be expressed otherwise. Addressing the physiological abnormalities likely will result in significant improvement in autistic behaviors and, therefore, more effective educational interventions. There may be a role for SSRI’s and antipsychotics for a small number of children unresponsive to other interventions. However, most of these medications are not approved for use in children, and very few studies exist to support the efficacy.

Referral to Early Intervention is essential. Educational programs can have profound effects, especially when combined with medical interventions that improve attention and behavior.

Top 3 Medical Interventions to Consider (Parents may ask about…)

GI Tract: Many children suffer from diarrhea, constipation, esophagitis, gastritis, duodenitis, and colitis, which may be responsible for a variety of symptoms such as abdominal pain and nighttime awakening. Many are also found to have yeast over-growth in the gut.

Try elimination of dairy (milk products), since there is convincing evidence that a large number of these children have milk allergies or sensitivities. Gluten sensitivities are also quite prevalent, and eliminating this (more difficult to do) may be worth a trial. This is what many refer to as GF/CF (Gluten-free/Casein-free) diet (see below). Opioid excess theory also supports this diet. Use of anti-fungal medication may be considered, if stool culture documents yeast over-growth. Unfortunately, not many GI specialists are on-board yet with evaluating and treating the children with autism. The LADDERS program at Harvard may be a resource for referral plans.
Detox: There is good evidence that the detoxification pathways are impaired in many of these children. Sulfate plays an important role, and about 90% of autistic children have very low levels, which means that they have difficulty eliminating toxins taken in, or generated within. Sulfate is also crucial in the health of the GI tract. Replacing sulfate with magnesium sulfate (epsom salt) may help.

Heavy metal accumulation may play a role as well, but chelation therapy should only be considered after careful testing. Reducing toxin load will likely benefit these children. Toxins may be environmental (insecticides, herbicides, mercury, arsenic, automobile fumes, etc) or household (formaldehyde, cleaning agents, volatile organic compounds, lead, etc). Also consider reducing intake of phenol-containing food products (phenol-sulfur-transferase deficiency), such as apples.
Oxidative Stress: Methylation pathways and other anti-oxidant mechanisms are frequently found impaired. Diminished ability to inactivate free radicals may have significant CNS effects. Vitamin supplements should be recommended, especially since many children with autism have severely limited diet patterns. Reducing the intake of highly processed food (high in free radicals) is indicated as well.

As mentioned before, due to the extreme variability of this disease, each child will require a different treatment plan, but there is no solid medical test to assess the efficacy of these interventions. However inaccurate and subjective it may be, relying on parents’ reports on behavior changes may be the only option. Fortunately, many parents are very perceptive to the changes in their children’s behaviors. With the trial-and-error method, it is important to stress that the treatment change be implemented one at a time. Good luck, and keep the hope alive.

Bibliography

Horvath K, Patadimitriou JC, John C, et al. Gastrointestinal abnormalities in children with autistic disorder. Journal of Pediatrics, 1999 Nov: 135(5): 559-563
Buie T, Pediatric GastroEnterologist, Harvard, Massachusetts General Hospital, MA . Gastrointestinal function of children with autism Initial Autism Research Findings.
Knivsberg AM, Reichelt KL, Hoien T, Nodland M. A Randomized, Controlled Study of Dietary Intervention in Autistic Syndromes. Nutritional Neuroscience, 2002 Vol 5 (4), pp 251-261
Waring RH, Klovrza LV, Sulphur Metabolism in Autism. Journal of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine (2000)10, 25-32
Alberti A, Pirrone P, Elia M, Waring RH, Romano C. Sulphation Deficit in “low-functioning” autistic children: a pilot study. Biol. Psychiatry 1999: 46; 420-424
Yorbik O, Sayal A, Akay C, et al. Investigation of antioxidant enzymes in children with autistic disorder. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2002 Nov; 67(5): 341-3
James SJ, Cutler P, Melnyk S, et al. Metabolic biomarkers of increased oxidative stress and impaired methylation capacity in children with autism. Am J Clin Nutr 2004 Dec: 80 (6): 1611-7