Autism and antibiotics study

[Guest guest]

Listmates,

I know this is old, but I just found it and wanted to post it to the group

because it is related and I didn't remember seeing it before. I found

it on the drgreene.org website (LOVE that site!).

Caroline

Autism Bacteria?

We now know that ulcers, once thought to be stress-induced, are often caused

by a bacterial infection. What if autism where an infection? Ellen Bolte, a

self-trained computer programmer and mother of four, wondered this when she

watched her son's development deteriorate while he was being treated with

antibiotics for several months for an ear infection. Thus began a journey

that resulted in an article in the July 2000 issue of the Journal of Child

Neurology. Partnering with Dr. Sandler, the insightful Director of Pediatric

Gastroenterology at her local children's hospital, a study commenced in

which 11 autistic children were treated with vancomycin, a very strong

antibiotic against resistant bacteria. Ten of the children showed dramatic

-- though short-lived -- improvement. The answers are by no means all in,

but this important study gives evidence of a gut-brain-bacteria connection

in at least some children with autism. One parent's determined fight for her

son is opening up an exciting new area of research in this devastating and

frustrating disease.

Alan Greene MD FAAP

September 21, 2000