Autistic enterocolitis

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Autistic enterocolitis is a controversial term first used by British gastroenterologist Andrew Wakefield to describe a number of common clinical symptoms and signs which he contends are distinctive to autism. There are numerous medical conditions comorbid to autism spectrum disorders; up to 50% of children with autistic spectrum disorders experience persistent gastrointestinal problems, with mild to moderate degrees of inflammation in both the upper and lower intestinal tract.[1][not in citation given] The existence of autistic enterocolitis is controversial, as the methodology of Wakefield's studies has been criticized and his results have not been replicated by other groups.[1]

Contents

[edit] Background

Until the 1970s, autism was considered a very rare condition, but it is diagnosed much more often nowadays, whether due to increased diagnostic vigilance by doctors, changes of diagnostic categories, or an actual increase in incidence. Estimates of the percentage of late-onset autism cases range from 20% to 80%,[citation needed] with the lower percentage reported by sources including the British Medical Journal as not having changed in recent years.[2] Wakefield, however, contends that a regressive syndrome "may reflect a subset of children with developmental disorders with distinct etiological and clinical features."[3]

Despite others describing common bowel features, there have been no peer reviewed studies yet published, as of 2006, corroborating the existence of autistic enterocolitis; other studies have explicitly denied its existence.[4] [5]. Thus, it is not generally accepted that the types of colitis found in autism are unique to autism.[6]To date, no adequately controlled study has been published comparing the gut pathology of autistic and non-autistic children.[citation needed]

[edit] The Lancet study

When Wakefield and his colleagues first reported in 1998 a possible association between autistic regression, IBD, and MMR vaccines in the Lancet, they evaluated a dozen children with pervasive developmental disorders, apparent developmental regression, and intestinal symptoms, referred to the Royal Free Hospital.

Onset of behavioral symptoms was linked to recent (within two weeks) immunization with MMR vaccine in six of the children diagnosed with autism. An autism diagnosis was not linked to MMR vaccination, or the link was tenuous, in the remaining six. The most consistent finding was lymphoid nodular hyperplasia of the terminal ileum in nine of the children. This feature has also been reported in non-autistic children.[7] A variety of colonic and rectal mucosal abnormalities was seen in eight cases. Biopsies of the ileum showed reactive lymphoid follicular hyperplasia in seven. Biopsies of the colon showed a diffuse mononuclear cell infiltrate in six.

Wakefield and his colleagues say they have described features of regressive autistism with bowel disorders, or autistic enterocolitis, although these findings have been questioned:

  • A vast majority of the children have chronic swelling of the lymphoid tissue lining the intestines, particularly near where the small and large intestines meet, and chronic inflammation of the large intestine, producing abdominal pain and alternating constipation and diarrhea.
  • Affected children exhibit impaired cellular immunity to common recall antigens; the numbers of circulating white blood cells are low.
  • A specific measles protein signal has been detected in immune cells of inflamed lymphoid tissue; another such indication is that affected children often have raised levels of measles-specific antibodies in their bloodstream.
  • A loss of speech and language accompanied by symptoms of excessive thirst, bowel disturbances, self-injury, and a self-limited diet associated with cravings for particular foods.
  • Allergies, food intolerances, and recurrent upper respiratory tract infections unresponsive to conventional treatments are also prominent features of this sub-group.

[edit] IBD and regressive autism

Although also characterized by intestinal lymphoid tissue disease activity, the primary symptoms and diagnostic criteria of the syndrome are claimed to be behavioral and developmental. Age, dose of infection and the interaction of two or more viruses are claimed to be factors leading to regressive autism. According to Wakefield, "it is possible that the emergence of this new type of autism is related to a different pattern of exposure to environmental triggers."

Abnormal metabolites of macro-nutriments have been found in the urine of autistic children, suggesting an incomplete or insufficient intra-intestinal digestion.[8]

[edit] Potential link to MMR vaccinations

Central to one of the most acrimonious controversies in autism, Wakefield has hypothesized that autistic enterocolitis is an emergent IBD phenotype that follows from the increased incidence of low-dose compound viral exposures, i.e., exposures associated with the vast increase in the number of vaccinations given to children during a period when their immune systems are rapidly developing. Specifically, Wakefield asserts the autistic enterocolitis syndrome involves increased permeation of neurotoxic substances across the blood-brain barrier during a vulnerable part of brain development, leading to regressive autism. Other research, however, rejects this [9]. Researchers have identified a high incidence of bowel symptoms in autistic children before the MMR vaccine was licensed [10]

[edit] "Retraction of an interpretation"

The Lancet paper has been widely cited as an impetus for concerns regarding the MMR vaccine being a cause of Autism. Wakefield gave interviews after the publication of the paper, including on 60 minutes where he raised concerns regarding administraiton of the MMR vaccine. In the Lancet paper, Wakefield and his co-authors said on the issue:

"We did not prove an association between measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine and the syndrome described. Virological studies are underway that may help to resolve this issue"

In 2004, ten of the 13 authors issued a statement in the Lancet (2004;363:750) entitled "Retraction of an interpretation". In this, the authors retracted the conclusion section of the paper, formally known in the Lancet and in many biomedical journals, as the "interpretation". The section of the paper retracted said:

"Interpretation. We identified associated gastrointestinal disease and developmental regression in a group of previously normal children, which was generally associated in time with possible environmental triggers."

In the retraction, issued in March 2004, they said:

"We wish to make it clear that in this paper no causal link was established between MMR vaccine and autism as the data were insufficient. However, the possibility of such a link was raised and consequent events have had major implications for public health. In view of this, we consider now is the appropriate time that we should together formally retract the interpretation placed upon these findings in the paper, according to precedent."

The authors also said:

"The main thrust of this paper was the first description of an unexpected intestinal lesion in the children reported. Further evidence has been forthcoming in studies from the Royal Free Centre for Paediatric Gastroenterology and other groups to support and extend these findings. While much uncertainty remains about the nature of these changes, we believe it important that such work continues, as autistic children can potentially be helped by recognition and treatment of gastrointestinal problems."

Just before the retraction, criticism arose over the fact that the Royal Free Hospital had received £55 000,00 in August 1996 from lawyers preparing to sue MMR manufacturers for support of Dr. Wakefield's research. Wakefield asserted that the donation was to fund a second clinical study; some of the children involved were subjects in both studies.[11]. However, it was subsequently revealed by The Sunday Times of London that Wakefield had personally been paid more than £400,000 [12].

Wakefield, who did not sign the retraction, currently face disciplinary charges before the General Medical Council over the conduct of this research.[13]

In October 2005, the Cochrane Library published its analysis of 31 "high quality" medical studies which concluded no link could be found between the MMR vaccine and bowel disease, autism or other pervasive developmental disorders. To increase the rigor of the meta-analysis, the criteria of the meta-analysis excluded smaller studies and studies that had the potential for bias. Wakefield's work was specifically excluded in the meta-analysis due to small sample size. With regard to the vaccine, Cochrane said that its survey of research "strongly supports its use."[14]

[edit] Wakefield's Research - In his own words - Lecture Presentation - Carnegie Mellon University

As the executive director of the Thoughtful House Center for Children, Wakefield was invited to Carnegie Mellon University, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to make a lecture presentation on November 17, 2005. Entitled The Seat of the Soul: The Origins of the Autism Epidemic, Wakefield's lecture presented his research into autism and his explanation of "autistic enterocolitis" and its theoretical basis. A moderated panel discussion immediately followed, with panelists including Vicky Debold, RN, PhD, Edward Yazbak, MD, Debbie Darnley-Fisch, MD, and Arthur Krigsman, MD.

The presentation was simulcast on the internet, and the video of the lecture is available online here.

[edit] Papers cited by campaigners as supporting Wakefield's research
The neutrality of this article is disputed.
Please see the discussion on the talk page.
  • Jyonouchi H, Geng L, Ruby A, Reddy C, Zimmerman-Bier B (May 2005). "Evaluation of an association between gastrointestinal symptoms and cytokine production against common dietary proteins in children with autism spectrum disorders.". J. Pediatrics 146 (5): 605-10. PMID 15870662. 
  • Balzola F., Barbon V., Repici A., Rizzetto M., Clauser D., Gandione M., Sapino A. (Apr 2005). "Panenteric IBD-like disease in a patient with regressive autism shown for the first time by the wireless capsule enteroscopy: another piece in the jigsaw of this gut-brain syndrome?". Am J Gastroenterol 100 (4): 979-81. PMID 15784047. 
  • Jyonouchi H., Geng L., Ruby A., Zimmerman-Bier B. (2005). "Dysregulated innate immune responses in young children with autism spectrum disorders: their relationship to gastrointestinal symptoms and dietary intervention.". Neuropsychobiology 51 (2): 77-85. PMID 15741748. 
  • Ashwood P., Anthony A., Torrente F., Wakefield A. (Nov 2004). "Spontaneous mucosal lymphocyte cytokine profiles in children with autism and gastrointestinal symptoms: mucosal immune activation and reduced counter regulatory interleukin-10.". J Clin Immunol 24 (6): 664-73. PMID 15622451. 
  • Dyken P (2004). "Some aspects about the clinical and pathogenetic characteristics of the presumed persistent measles infections: SSPE and MINE". J Pediatr Neurol 2 (3): 121-4. 
  • Horvath K., Perman J. (Oct 2002). "Autistic disorder and gastrointestinal disease.". Curr Opin Pediatr 14 (5): 583-7. PMID 12352252. 
  • Horvath K., Papadimitriou J., Rabsztyn A., Drachenberg C., Tildon J. (Nov 1999). "Gastrointestinal abnormalities in children with autistic disorder". J. Pediatrics 135 (5): 559-63. PMID 10547242. 

[edit] References

  1. ^ MacDonald T, Domizio P (2007). "Autistic enterocolitis; is it a histopathological entity?". Histopathology 50 (3): 371-9; discussion 380-4. PMID 17257133. 

[edit] External links

  • Autism-BioMed.org - 'MMR vaccine and autism, revisited' (commentary)', Ronald J. Kallen, MD, Autism Biomedical Information Network (May 31, 2000)
  • AutismConnect.org - 'US scientists "corroborate Andrew Wakefield gut findings"', Glasgow Herald (June 6, 2002)
  • AutismConnect.org - 'New Andrew Wakefield study links autism to novel intestinal illness (Autistic enterocolitis): A British gastroenterologist who now works in Austin has completed a new study on autism which claims to link the disease to a novel intestinal illness', Cox News Service (October 11, 2004)
v • d • e
Pervasive developmental disorders / Autistic spectrum

Diagnoses

Autism | Asperger syndrome | Semantic Pragmatic Disorder | Hyperlexia | Autistic enterocolitis | Childhood disintegrative disorder | Conditions comorbid to autism | Fragile X syndrome
Rett syndrome | PDD-NOS | Sensory Integration Dysfunction | Multiple-complex Developmental Disorder

Controversies

Andrew Wakefield | Incidence | Autism rights movement | Biomedical intervention | Causes | Chelation
Generation Rescue | Heritability | Neurodiversity | Refrigerator mother | Therapies

List of autism-related topics

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