[BenLurkin]

I have, yet another, dumb question.

If a 'breakdown" in GABA is truly to blame for autism -- what in the world happened to the GABA in the last 20-20 years to make the number of autism cases increase so dramatically?

[ClearCase_guy]

GABA?
GABA
Hey!
(/Ramones)

[ifinnegan]

Broadening of diagnosis.

[Smokin' Joe]

You have to consider that 'autism' has been redefined and broadened as a diagnosis. It may be that no larger a proportion of the population has it, just that the definition has changed.

That does not eliminate other possible factors and would be a study in itself, rendered more difficult by the redefined diagnostic parameters.

[IronJack]

GABA is gamma aminobutyric acid. It acts as a damper on neurotransmiters, to regulate over-stimulation of neurons.

An excess can induce calm and relieve anxiety, so I wonder if some of the antagonistic stimulants administered to "hyperactive" children may have something to do with it. The effects of GABA change from an excitatory role in the developing brain (for example in growing boys) to an inhibitory role in the mature (conservative) brain. (No studies have ever been done on liberals, due to a dearth of suitable subjects.)

I've long believed that handing out Adderal and Concerta like they're candy, along with the overprescription of SSRIs, must have long-term effects the neural functions of their victims. You don't fool with brain chemistry.

[gorush]

Processed foods?

[exDemMom]

The increase in the number of autism cases reflects changes in diagnostic criteria, not a true increase.

I look forward to the day when the genetics of autism are finally mapped out. Then the anti-vaxxers who use autism as an excuse to not protect their children will lose one of their major excuses.

[goodwithagun]

We do hyperbaric chamber therapy with our son who is at the high functioning end of the spectrum. We did the main “dose” and go back every few months for what we call a top up. The doc (Ph.D. not MD) who runs the center earned his Ph.D. working with autism and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. His theory is that oxygen does not reach certain parts of the brain adequately, and the therapy opens up and creates new capillaries in the brain to allow the oxygen in. We've seen astounding progress. We didn't tell the grandparents or the teachers what we were doing at first, and all commented on our son's improvement without knowing anything.

[Ellendra]

30 years ago, I would not have qualified as autistic.

3 years ago, I did.

The definition has changed, and milder cases are now being recognized.

Now that I know the signs, I can see it in several other family members, including my grandfather, who never would have been diagnosed under the old standards but who would easily qualify under the new.

I really wish I had known about this when I was younger. Everyone assumed that whatever difficulties I had were due to a lack of scolding.

[Mechanicos]

Your question, “If a ‘breakdown” in GABA is truly to blame for autism — what in the world happened to the GABA in the last 20-20 years to make the number of autism cases increase so dramatically?”

http://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/news/20140414/study-ties-antidepressant-use-in-pregnancy-to-autism-risk-in-boys

[sten]

1995 ... when the clintons and walmart started replacing american goods w/ chinese manufactured goods

pre-1995, autism was about 1 in 750. today, it’s 1 in 45.

why red flags and bells aren’t sounding in the halls of DoD is beyond me

[Prospero]

Reporters today, and their headline writers!

Note that the story references a breakdown in the chemical pathway used by GABA, pointing to a more obscure process interruption in the central nervous system.

It may be a "breakthrough," but... when this is meditated upon, it's not much more specific than linking diabetes with sugar.

Still a long, way to go!