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I just got this from The Autism Awareness page on Myspace, in a bulletin. I thought this was really interesting and thought I'd share.
January 9, 2009 — The discovery of abnormal salivary peptides in a subgroup of patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may prove to be a useful biomarker for the disorder, a small study suggests.
Researchers found that more than 60% of children with ASD had hypophosphorylation of at least 1 of 4 salivary peptides.
"These results suggest that analysis of salivary phosphopeptides might help to discriminate a considerable subgroup of ASD patients," the researchers, led by Massimo Castagnola, PhD, from Università Cattolica, in Rome, Italy, write.
The study is published January 2 in the Journal of Proteome Research.
According to the authors, proteomic studies of body fluids offer a "high throughput approach" for the identification of potential biomarkers in a wide variety of diseases. However, they note, until now, saliva has been neglected for diagnostic and prognostic purposes, despite the fact that it offers several advantages, including the fact that it is noninvasive.
To look for potential salivary biomarkers for individuals with ASD, the researchers analyzed saliva samples from 27 children with ASD and 23 healthy, age-matched controls.
The children with ASD were aged 1.5 to 9 years, except for 1 boy who was 15 years old.
Of the children with ASD, 12 had autism, 1 had Asperger's syndrome, and 14 had pervasive developmental disorders not otherwise specified, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th ed (DSM-IV).
Analysis of the saliva samples detected more than 120 salivary components. Statistical analysis revealed that the phosphorylation level of 4 specific peptides, however, was significantly lower in more than half of the autistic patients.
Although the study was small and other pathological conditions might explain these peptide changes, the statistical results were robust, according to the researchers.
The molecular basis of ASD may be partly explained by a defect in the phosphorylation process during the development of the central nervous system in the embryo or in early infancy, they suggest.
The research was supported by Telethon, International Scientific Institute “Paolo VI,” Università di Cagliari, Università Cattolica, Ministero dell'Istruzione dell'Università e della Ricerca, Italian National Research Council, Regione Sardegna, and Fondazione Banco di Sardegna.
J Proteome Res. 2008;7:5327-5332.
Abstract
SOURCE: http://www. medscape. com/viewarticle/586532
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Danny's fever finally broke, this past Friday. He's doing much, much better (thank GOD). The antibiotics that his pediatrician gave him worked better than the ones that the ER dr. gave him. Danny was able to start school yesterday (1/12) and so far has been doing well. We saw the pediatrician today, just to make sure that Danny's lungs are clear and she says all is well with Danny. I just need to keep giving him Dimetap or the Tylenol multi-symptom cough/cold to get rid of his cough that he has. Other than that, it doesn't appear to be in his lungs- so that's good.
Charlie started school without Danny last week. SO far, Charlie has been getting nothing but wonderful reports from his teacher. She says he's been doing very well and participates well with the other children. He really seems to enjoy school, so much so that he didn't give me my hug OR kiss this morning. He hung up his coat and backpack and than sat right down in his desk. I had to go over to him and give him a kiss goodbye. Danny seems to enjoy school so far too. He too, didn't give me my hug or kiss goodbye- I had to go over and give him one. OH well...at least they like their teacher and they're not clinging to me when I leave. I'm able to just drop them both off and walk away. Most parents can't even say that of their kids...so I'm lucky mine separate from me fairly well...well, at least as far as school goes :)
I have lots and lots to update you on...so here goes. Our Christmas was loads of fun. My in-laws came up on Christmas Eve, so Styven and I stayed up with my mother-in-law, brother-in-law, and father-in-law and opened up all of our presents to each other. Christmas morning we let the kiddos open up their gifts from the in-laws and from Styven and I, before heading off to my mom and dad's. Charlie and Danny both made plaster shaped hearts for my mom and MIL, painted them, and had a sweet message on the backs. Charlie and Danny both got a John Deere tractor (they have to share it..I got some really funny videos...if I only I could figure out how to upload them) and Lightning McQueen scooters..amongst other fun toys. My mom made a really yummy dinner, as always. The day after Christmas, my in-laws took the twins to the Georgia Aquarium. This was mine and the boys third time there and my brother-in-laws second. I tried to get coffee from Far Coast from daddy, but the lines were too long. If you haven't been to Far Coast yet in Downtown Atlanta (it's in front of the new Coke museum and behind the Aquarium), then I suggest you go put my dad Bill to work..tell him his youngest daughter sent you. No really, you should. It has become my new favorite place. Anyhow, my mom took the boys overnight the next night, so that my in-laws could spend some time with Styven and I..and get some much needed adult only time together.
My New Years? It's been eventful to say the least. Styven went to the ER on New Years Eve (more like 4 AM on New Years Day). He's been sick for awhile and it's not going away. The ER dr. told him he's got a lung infection. All was well until my eventful trip to the ER with Danny last night at 10. Danny had a fever of 105.9 degrees last night, so I got up got dressed, got him dressed and rushed on down to the hospital. The dr. said we were lucky we got there when we did, his fever was any higher he could've had a seizure and GOD only knows what could've happened. Luckily, his fever went down enough for him to come home at 2:30 AM. He was fine and then his fever went up to 103 again at 4 this afternoon. When I checked it a few hours ago, it had gone back down to 97-98 degrees...so all is good, for now ::knocks on wood::. Charlie started his first day of school today and his teacher said he did really, really well. I wish Danny could be starting with Charlie, but unfortunately, Danny has to stay home with me. Poor kid has pneumonia and it's no fun watching him be sick :(. That's about all I've got for now, I must get myself SOME sleep before getting up early to take Charlie to school. Hope everyone had a WONDERFUL New Year and hope that 2009 is good to all of you.
XOX,
Lynes
