Microglia Activation–Brain Inflammation and Autism

Brain Inflammation, or neroulogical inflammation, with respects to Autism, has been the topic of a tremendous amount of research out of Johns Hopkins University and other research facilities. Emerging research shows that in Autism, there tends to be a higher prevalence of neuro-inflammatory markers likely affecting individuals on the Autism spectrum more adversely.

In short, there is a cell in the brain or a system in the brain called microglia. Microglia is a part of the immune system function of the brain and the central nervous system. In many individuals with Autism, there appears to be what’s called microglia activation where the microglia become activated, but don’t turn off. They can become activated from a virus or bacteria. They can become activated from a potential chemical reaction. There’s been some cases where it’s shown that certain vaccines may be a contributing factor to microglia activation.

When the system doesn’t turn off, it leads to chronic inflammation and essentially the destruction of what are called synapses. Synapses are the small spaces between nerve cells where neuro-chemicals are transferred from one nerve cell to the next as a communication link. So, we get a chemical reaction across the synapse creating an electrical chemical reaction in the corresponding nerve cell. So, anything that is going to affect the synapse will essentially affect chemical transportation from one brain region to the next and electrical impulse activation in the brain as well.

There isn’t just one thing that causes microglia activation, but it is something that should be on your radar. It is something to consider for your child on the Autism spectrum, something that may be a contributing factor to their overall condition. Whether you feel your child had a vaccine reaction, whether they had an infection at some point where things just never returned to normal, or they’ve had chronic immune problems throughout their life like food sensitivities, gut problems, etc, you could be looking at the potential for microglia activation.

microglia activation

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Behavior Changes

A number of factors can impact behavior in children with Autism, and working on resolving behavior changes means isolating some factors of the behavior. When is the behavior issue occurring? Is it occurring before going to school or in the morning or happening when your child gets home from school? Is it happening at school? In the therapy sessions? Before bedtime? Has there been some type of change in their daily routine?

I’ve often had kids who’ve had behavior changes because they’re in a classroom and a new child comes into the classroom that they either don’t like or they’re not getting along with or there is some type of conflict. It can even be a result of a new therapist or a new teacher.

Behavior changes can break down to something in their daily routine. Has there been some sort of change in their diet? Eating new foods or taking certain foods away that your child likes certainly can contribute to behavioral problems. Have you added a new supplement? Often times, changes in behavior occur when new supplements are added. Often times people will add too many supplements at one time instead of spacing them out every two to three days when introducing a new thing. Supplements sometimes can cause problems.

So you really have to be a detective in what is actually happening with your child and how long has that behavior change been occurring. Keep a journal on your child’s behavior changes to help you establish patterns. Has it been over a couple days or a couple weeks? Really try to piece together what may be going on, and keep in mind it may not be biomedical. It could be situational.

By the way, if it is something that might be tied to supplements, generally what I do is isolate which supplements have been added since the behavioral change started. Then, I recommend taking all of those new supplements out. Wait four to five days and see if the behavioral change shifts. Reintroduce those supplements one at a time, maybe sometimes at half a dose, and take implementation slower because just that change alone may be enough for your child to handle whatever new program you are putting them on.

Behavior Changes

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Autism as a diagnosis is established based on specific observed behaviors. In addition, there are also various language problems and social interaction issues. No two autistic individuals, whether they are a child, teenager or adult, are exactly the same. Each individual had their own unique wants and desires. Biomedical autism treatments such as dietary changes, supplement therapy and others can help with many of the core autism problems.

Every person with autism has their own unique personality that manifests in a variety of ways. For example, one child can be affectionate, while another appears more aloof. The same thing can be seen with behaviors where one person can be quick to tantrum or be aggressive, while another is calm and non-assertive. There are many interventions that can be utilized to help such as behavioral therapy and autism biomedical treatments.

Language problems, including both receptive and expressive is a major problem in autism. Some individuals are mildly affected, while others have a complete loss of speech. Once again, biomedical autism treatments such as Methyl-B12, folinic acid and Respen-A therapy have helped many with language problems.

Listed below are some core signs of autism that you should be aware of. Even though the severity of symptoms varies from person to person, each person with autism will likely have some issue from each category:

Communication and Language

Lack in speech or limited language development.

Echolalia (as a stereotypical behavior). This sign of autism manifests as repeating something over and over such as a phrase from a video or movie.

Difficulty initiating or maintaining conversation.

Difficulty understanding the nuisances of communication such as humor or concern.

Note: In addition to speech therapy commonly which is commonly implemented for these problems, biomedical autism treatments can help with language development too. I have treated many children in my practice with significant language problems and seen very positive response. One child in particular went from 30 words to over 300 words in 3 weeks with the use of Methyl-B12 therapy.

Social Engagement and Awkwardness

Poor eye contact, poor recognition of facial expressions or body posturing. Lack of social cues recognition

Decreased or absent interest in sharing enjoyment, i.e. playfulness with other people. Lack of humor appropriate for age.

Lack or diminished interest in developing friendships. Overall poor social engagement.
Empathy is lacking. Poor or complete lack of awareness for another person’s pain, desires, or ambitions. Rigid in thinking.

Needs constant order and structure.

Note: Many biomedical autism treatments such as Methyl-B12 therapy and/or the gluten/casein-free diet can help particularly with better eye contact and awareness of others.

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The organic acid test is essential to analyze for yeast, and bacterial overgrowth. It is also helpful to assess the level of oxalate excretion, and other factors related to glutathione and antioxidant status, serotonin metabolism, quinolinic acid production (a marker for potential brain toxicity) as well as markers for in-born errors of metabolism including oxalate and amino acid dysfunction.

Case History Yeast and Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD-NOS)

Mark was one of my first ASD cases back in 1998. He was a 2 year old boy diagnosed with PPD-NOS (not otherwise specified). His development was typical of the history listed above. Multiple ear infections had led to repeated antibiotics for months on end. Loose stools were the norm as he struggled to maintain eye contact and learn in school. I ordered an Organic Acid Test (OAT) from Great Plains laboratory and discovered a massive amount of yeast metabolites – arabinose being the most common and quite elevated in Mark. Being new to biomedicine for autism all I knew (back in 1998) to do was make a recommendation for a gluten/casein-free diet and antifungal therapy. The anti-fungal medication was called Nystatin. Mark’s mother also implemented some basic supplements including a multi-vitamin and mineral, probiotics, and digestive enzymes.

After 18 months of continuous use of Nystatin, dietary modification and general nutritional support Mark was mainstreamed into regular school and continued to do well. His repeat OAT finally showed no yeast overgrowth. This case illustrated for me the powerful changes that could happen for an ASD child with basic dietary intervention and prolonged antifungal therapy.

Yeast has a tremendous effect on health. What are common in children with yeast overgrowth are behaviors that suggest dissociation, withdrawal, and aloofness. The most common behaviors that I see most commonly attributable to a yeast overgrowth problem are the following:

Poor eye contact.
Increased self-stimulatory behavior – fixating on spinning objects, odd hand movements including and finger-flicking in front of eyes.
Toe-walking.
Becoming withdrawn.
“Silly, goofy and/or giddy” – but this is not a behavior that involves other people. The child becomes silly, goofy and/or giddy to themselves. Parents will often describe that their child appears drunk.
Increased sugar craving.
Overall increased sensory seeking behavior, i.e. pressure

Other parents can describe more subtle differences, but those listed above are fairly common manifestations. What is most prevalent with “yeasty” behavior is a giddiness that mimics drugged or drunk behavior. When they are put on medications such as Nystatin or natural remedies, i.e. oregano oil, and/or grapefruit seed extract these behaviors improve.

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Leaky gut syndrome is a phenomenon in which micro-particles, i.e. food fragments, viruses, bacteria and yeast proteins, and other bio-toxic material are leeched into the blood stream from a breakdown of the intestinal mucosal barrier. With respect to autism, leaky gut is thought to contribute to unwanted molecules (food, bacteria, yeast, etc.) permeating through the intestinal wall and cross-reacting with the immune system (leading to increased susceptibility for allergies) and the brain (leading to problems in cognitive function, language, and behavior), as well as leading to brain inflammation.

Leaky gut syndrome is detrimental for a person’s health because toxic substances which are normally bound in the fecal matter making its way through the digestive system for eventual elimination, now has access through a permeable mucosal membrane leading to physical stress throughout the body. For example, a food protein like gliadin (found in wheat) may trigger brain chemical reactions altering attention, mood, sleep and pain response. If the substance is from an intestinal pathogen such as a bacteria it can trigger immune reactions leading to autoimmune disorders. Autoimmune is the process of the body’s immune system attacking itself and it is known that various infectious proteins can trigger this response, i.e. bacterial toxins leading to reactive arthritis (formally called Reiter’s Syndrome) or PANDAS – a autoimmune post-streptococcal infection condition triggered by group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus.

What causes leaky gut syndrome is not entirely known. In autism, part of the issue could be gluten sensitivity. Gluten is a protein found in wheat that certain individuals have a difficult time digesting. With the inability to breakdown gluten in the gut an inflammatory reaction is created which weakens the gut wall. Inside the gut wall are millions of tiny cells that are responsible for absorbing nutrients from our diet, as well as releasing enzymes to help breakdown the food stuff in the gut. The spaces between cells are vulnerable through something called a tight junction. A tight junction is material that holds cells together. Think of it like mortar between bricks in a wall. If the mortar breaks down than overtime the bricks collapse and the wall falls over. The same thing can happen in the digestive system with the tight junctions breaking down and the space between cells becoming more “leaky.”

Other potential contributing factors to leaky gut are alcohol, caffeine, certain drugs like ibuprofen and diets high in carbohydrates. In autism, a diet called the Specific Carbohydrate Diet is used to eliminate the build-up of inflammation in the gut from hard to digest carbohydrates, i.e. corn, potatoes, rice. The results with this diet can be remarkable in helping autism-spectrum individuals improve their health and overall cognitive abilities. For parents with autistic children, as well as doctors and researchers looking at the role of leaky gut in autism, there is always more to understand with respects to causes and treatment. Simply understanding that leaky gut exists in autism is important and will help everyone involved in the care of an autistic individual better understand some of the reasons behind their health and cognitive challenges.

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• Biomedical Autism Treatment – Additional Blood Testing Markers and Autism