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Autisms Bacteria Link Gains Credence.

By Jonathan Sher
In a world where autism rates have spiked nearly 150-fold, celebrities blame
vaccines and massive amounts of money are spent seeking genetic causes and
solutions.

So, its not everyday a scientist gets a world-class audience for a promising
theory some were quick to dismiss as heretical, but thats precisely whats
happened to a London doctor.

Dr. Derrick MacFabe was one of just 10 scientists recently invited to a


prestigious Nobel forum in Sweden to explain research that suggests that much
of what ails us rests in us our digestive tracts are home to a huge number
and variety of single-cell organisms so tiny, millions can fit in the eye of a
needle.

Called microbes, they out-number our own cells in the gut by 10 to one and
form a community of bugs, called a microbiome, thats led to an explosion of
research.

We want to let suffering families know there is real scientific progress in this
field, and gut microbes are becoming the game changer in this devastating
condition, MacFabe said.

Its not that gut bugs are bad. For, millions of years, they played a helpful role
in our health.

But changes in the past century have altered the microbial balance as societies
relied too heavily on antibiotics, disinfectants, C-section deliveries and a diet of
refined carbohydrates. Those changes replace inner gardens of helpful bacteria
with a harmful mix that makes compounds that in excess can damage the
digestive system, brain, immune system, and the way cells metabolize energy.

The damage is likely worse in babies whose brains and immune systems are
developing, MacFabe says. But the damage also occurs throughout life.

Studies that followed kids gut microbes over many years could predict later
health or disease, he said.

Others at the Nobel forum linked changes in gut bacteria to the rise in obesity,
some cancers, immunological disorders and neurodevelopmental conditions
beyond autism.

They discussed upcoming clinical trials to restore the damaged microbiome


to improve health.

MacFabes approach is buttressed by a decade of animal and clinical studies.


Rats showed symptoms of autism disorder when injected with the same fatty
acid made in excess by bacteria associated with autism. That abnormal fatty
acid might help doctors to use blood tests to diagnose and treat the condition
early. His work has been given a boost by new technologies that help scientists
identify the 3,000 or so types of bacteria and their compounds found in the
human gut.

But while science is MacFabes pursuit, hes motivated by the stories of those
who suffer. They include the daughter of London entrepreneur David PatchellEvans, who donated $5 million to create the Kilee Patchell-Evans Autism
Research Group at Western University.

jonathan.sher@sunmedia.ca

Twitter.com/JSHERatLFPress

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Autism: Not just genetics


Bacteria in the gut may play a leading role in the disorder.
Traditional genetic studies account for only 5% to 25% of cases.

Many genes associated with it are turned on or off by compounds produced by


gut bacteria.
Identical twins often develop differing degrees of autism that could be caused
by the environment.
Growth in autism has been mirrored by growing use of antibiotics, disinfectants
and changes in diet.
When people move from less developed countries to developed nations, autism
rates rise, and the same increases occur in underdeveloped countries
introduced to Western medicine and diets
Those with autism often have digestive struggles, including unique bacteria,
and their behavioural and gut symptoms often change with antibiotic use or
changes in diet.

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