Do antidepressants in pregnancy cause autism?
2013.05.10 by Randall Neustaedter OMD
The studies
Another link between drugs and autism has been discovered. Two recent studies have shown an association between antidepressant use during pregnancy and an increased risk of autism in children. The risk of having an autistic child was doubled by the use of antidepressants taken during pregnancy. A large Swedish study published in the British Medical Journal included more than 1,600 autistic children whose mothers took any kind of antidepressant during their pregnancy. The results showed an increased incidence of autism in the antidepressant group compared to a control group.
A second study published in 2011 showed a 2-fold increased risk of autism if mothers took antidepressants in the year before delivery and a 3-fold increased risk with antidepressant use in the first trimester of pregnancy. These results were compared to mothers with a known history of mental illness, but without use of antidepressants and their children did not show an increased risk of autism.
The reason
The authors suggest that the explanation for this association may be that antidepressants alter serotonin mechanisms in the brain of the fetus. Many autistic children have elevated levels of serotonin in the blood with deficient brain serotonin levels or abnormal serotonin synthesis or receptor binding. They also note that animal studies have shown that antidepressant use in pregnancy increases behavior abnormalities similar to autism in humans.
Alternatives
There are natural methods for the treatment of depression. Start with a simple program of increased exercise, a whole foods diet, and adequate sleep. Of course depression itself as well as pregnancy can cause sleep disturbance. Calcium and magnesium are natural relaxants that can help sleep when taken before bed. A safe holistic program for depression during pregnancy may include supplements that balance neurotransmitters and improve sleep. Acupuncture is also a safe method to use for depression and sleep problems during pregnancy. Seek out a holistic practitioner who can develop a natural approach to depression which may include neurotransmitter testing and targeted nutritional supplements.
References
Rai D, Lee BK, Dalman C, et al. Parental depression, maternal antidepressant use during pregnancy, and risk of autism spectrum disorders: population based case-control study. British Medical Journal 2013;346:f2059 (Published 19 April 2013)
Croen LA, Grether JK, Yoshida CK, et al. Antidepressant Use During Pregnancy and Childhood Autism Spectrum Disorders. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2011;68(11):1104-1112
DHA from fish oil improves aggression and impulsivity
2013.05.02 by Randall Neustaedter OMD
Treating ADHD symptoms
A study of the effect of DHA and vitamin supplements on aggressive and impulsive behaviors showed that DHA, but not the vitamins, had a positive effect.
The study group included 200 young men, with an average age of 20 years, with no history of antisocial behavior. They were given 672 mg of DHA per day for 12 weeks. Test subjects were administered several tests before and after the supplementation period that actively measure aggressive and impulsive responses. These tests were primarily games that evaluated the ability to suppress impulsive reactions or measure impatience or the degree of aggressive responses to a stressful animation.
Results of the study showed significant improvement in scores after the DHA supplementation period.
These findings confirm previous studies that evaluated impulsivity and aggressive responses when assessed by questionnaires. This is the first study that observed the effects directly during testing situations. It also confirms the assumption and observation that DHA supplements improve attention functions in children.
Aggression and impulsivity are common symptoms in children and adolescents with a range of disruptive or antisocial behaviors and diagnoses. Children with attention problems (ADHD), autistic spectrum disorders (ASD,) and oppositional behavior all may exhibit easy frustration, intolerance, aggressive outbursts, lack of self-control, and poor impulse control.
A holistic approach
DHA supplementation is a simple way to enhance brain function and alleviate these symptoms without resorting to dangerous pharmaceutical drugs. Stimulant medications such as Adderall, Focalin, and Concerta commonly used for these children often produce significant side effects including sleep disturbance, nervous tics, and appetite suppression. Other serotonin enhancing drugs such as Zoloft and Prozac used to treat these children have serious side effects including aggravation of violent impulses and suicidal behavior.
Other holistic methods to enhance attention functions and reduce aggressive behavior in children include fortifying serotonin with tryptophan or its analogue 5HTP, decreasing glutamate levels with the amino acid theanine, and using homeopathic medicines. Seek out a holistic pediatric specialist who can develop a safe management plan for ADHD, ASD and related problems in children.
Reference
Sara-Jayne Long, David Benton. A double-blind trial of the effect of docosahexaenoic acid and vitamin and mineral supplementation on aggression, impulsivity, and stress. Human Psychopharmacology. Article first published online: 29 APR 2013
More on Placentas and Autism
2013.04.30 by Randall Neustaedter OMD
One of the lead researchers of the recent study that showed an association between an abnormal marker in placentas of babies at high risk of autism would like to have that test performed for all babies. Because of the dramatic results of their study that showed a remarkable correlation between this finding (trophoblast inclusions or TIs) in the placenta and the identification of babies at high risk for autism, we may be able to identify babies at birth who could benefit from nutritional interventions to prevent or treat autism.
Dr Harvey Kliman, lead researcher said, “I hope that diagnosing this risk by examining the placenta at birth will become routine and that the children who are shown to have increased numbers of [TIs] will have early interventions and an improved quality of life as a result of this test”
Low Vitamin D Levels Associated with Headaches
2013.04.28 by Randall Neustaedter OMD
Swedish study
Headaches occur more frequently in people who live at higher latitudes. The theory has been proposed that lower levels of vitamin D from reduced sun exposure at these locations may be the cause. A study was undertaken in Sweden to investigate the relationship between vitamin D blood levels and frequency of headaches.
Almost 13,000 study participants completed a questionnaire regarding the frequency, duration, and intensity of headaches. Their vitamin D blood levels were also tested. Results showed that those participants with low vitamin D levels reported significantly more non-migraine headaches. This association proved true when the possible confounding factors of physical exercise and alcohol consumption were considered Migraine headaches did not show any association with vitamin D status.
Treatment of headaches
Certainly on the basis of this study anyone who has headaches should ensure that their vitamin D status is adequate (a blood level of 50-100 ng/ml). This usually requires a supplement of 5,000 IU of vitamin D3 per day for adults and 2,000 IU per day for children.
Other excellent programs that prevent and treat recurrent headaches include acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, and neurotransmitter evaluation and support with targeted nutritional supplements. Adequate sleep and stress reduction techniques are also important components of a holistic approach to managing headaches.
Reference
Kjærgaard , M, Eggen AE, Mathiesen EB, Jorde R. Association Between Headache and Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D; the Tromsø Study: Tromsø 6. Headache 2012; 52:1499.
The Placenta Predicts Risk of Autism
2013.04.26 by Randall Neustaedter OMD
A recent study has confirmed that certain tissue changes in the placenta can actually predict the risk of autism in children. Researchers examined slides of placental tissue and looked for the presence of a type of folding called a trophoblast inclusion. They found that babies with a sibling who had been diagnosed with autism had more of these folds in their placentas than babies without an autistic sibling.
This study confirmed a previous study that showed children who later developed autism also had placentas with this characteristic at birth.
This is potentially a tool to identify children at greater risk for developing autism. Simply count the number of these inclusions in a tissue sample from the placenta. Those babies with four or more inclusions are at high risk of developing autism. None of those in the control group in these studies had these inclusions in their placentas.
A screening tool like this could allow holistic practitioners to focus their attention on these at risk babies and develop a nutritional program to treat autism before it manifests as symptoms. Several studies have also shown that early behavioral intervention results in greater gains for children with autism. Currently children with autism are seldom identified before 18 months of age and usually not until 2 or 3 years old. If we know that children at birth have a higher risk of developing autism, then we could intervene sooner.
References
Walker CK, Anderson KW, et al. Trophoblast inclusions are significantly increased in the placentas of children in families at risk for autism. Biological Psychiatry. 2013 April.
Anderson GM, Jacobs-Stannard A, Chawarska K, Volkmar FR, Kliman HJ. Placental trophoblast inclusions in autism spectrum disorder. Biological Psychiatry. 2007 Feb 15;61(4):487-91. Epub 2006 Jun 23.
