Physiological Issues Involved in Autism

I don't think the main issue is exorphins binding to peptides, I don't think it is any one "main" thing, or at least it hasn't really been identified yet.

All of us have opiate receptors in many of our tissues, they are not there to make us high, but they do perform some functions. Anyone who eats dairy and wheat is going to have exorphins produced, which will interact with the opiate receptors, but they don't necessarily demonstrate autistic behavior.

So what is the problem?

My previous research dealt primarily with how the cannabinoid (marihuana) receptor worked in the brain and gut. This receptor belongs to the same class of receptor as the opiate receptor and retinal receptor (G-protein coupled receptors). These receptors interact with other proteins called G-proteins, which in turn start a cascade of reactions in the cell to which the receptor is attached.

Think of the opiate receptor as the ignition to your car, and the exorphin peptide is the key, it fits only in the ignition, you turn it, and a series of events is started, ending in the car engine running. The G-protein would be the stuff that happens between turning the key and the engine starting. It is still one of the hottest areas of research (and at times I miss it!).

Anyway, based on this and other's research, like Dr. Megson's, I wonder if the defect isn't further downstream from the receptor, perhaps involving the G-protein signalling mechanism.

OK, I know that's more than you bargained for!

Put it this way:

Exorphin/opiates - maybe involved in "cross-circuited" signalling in autists, perhaps also other neurological problems such as shizophrenia. Involved in certain behaviors, or how the child perceives the outside world.

Gut damage - Perhaps through peptides (and not just exorphins from gluten/casein) initiating inappropriate responses from immune cells within the gut wall (similar to a histamine reaction) that results in exaggerated immune reaction resulting in inflammation and increased gut permeability. This is part of the celiac reaction.

Mercury/vaccines? - Dr. Wakefield has presented fairly convincing evidence for the presence of measle virus in large numbers of autists' gut wall, indicating a cause-and-effect relationship. What hasn't been clearly shown is what the measle virus is doing; is it benignly sitting there, or is it causing some other problem? Same with metals; if we examined most of the "typical" population, we would probably find high levels of mercury also, but yet they show no signs of autism.

Autism gene? - Unknown function/role

Autism is obviously manifested by a combination of factors: genetic, environmental, and biochemical. Part of the problem in addressing the potential cure for autism is "tunnel vision"; we tend to focus on one or two of the problems, rather than trying to understand all the factors involved.

While I applaud the proclaimed emphasis on healing the gut by DAN!, I hope we don't neglect the other areas of autism that may be just as important.

It's a multi-front war, requiring multiple approaches.

These statements and/or products have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not meant to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent any illness.

Please consult your medical doctor for treatment options.

Email : Devin Houston, Ph.D.

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