Evidence Mounts Implicating Lyme Disease in the Autism Epidemic

(PRWEB) November 7, 2007 -- A new article in Medical Hypotheses (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=PublicationURL&_tockey=%23TOC%236950%239999%23999999999%2399999%23FLA%23&_cdi=6950&_pubType=J&_auth=y&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=6271824&md5=995d1b571754f3dc6cda665b9c20d2af), "The association between tick-borne infections, Lyme Borreliosis and autism spectrum disorders" was released this week. Robert Bransfield, M.D., the main author collaborated with top doctors in both fields on this paper such as Jeff Wulfman, M.D., William T. Harvey, M.D. and Anju Usman, M.D.

The summary of the article states that "Chronic infectious diseases, including tick-borne infections such as Borrelia burgdorferi may have direct effects, promote other infections and create a weakened, sensitized and immunologically vulnerable state during fetal development and infancy leading to increased vulnerability for developing autism spectrum disorders."

Bransfield et al (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=ShowDetailView&TermToSearch=17980971&ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum), examine clinical observations, case reports, laboratory testing of patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder for tick-borne diseases, brain imaging results, epidemiological findings, infections and autism, tick-borne/Borreliosis infections and psychiatric illness and many other factors in this collaboration of research findings.

Numbers indicate that 20-30% of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder may be infected with Lyme Borreliosis and pathogenic Mycoplasma may be a contributor in 58% of cases. With these staggering numbers, families and physicians need education on the proper testing and treatment methods currently available. With these 20-30% numbers representing around 140,000 cases of autism in the United States alone, the human impact of this disease is staggering. Bransfield et al states that "If just 20% of the 560,000 recognized cases of ASD in the US can be prevented or more effectively treated, this could result in a savings of $358 billion in addition to the incalculable human impact of this disease."

The authors recognized the contributions of Charles Ray Jones, M.D. for decades of expertise and dedication in helping hundreds of children with Lyme Borreliosis and autism spectrum disorder.

Parents needing more information on testing and treatment can turn to the LIA Foundation (http://www.liafoundation.org) for support. They are a non-profit organization which focuses on research, awareness and education on the multiple infections, including Borrelia/Lyme Disease, and how that impacts children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

About Autism:

Autism is a disorder that currently affects 1 out of 150 children. Boys are the majority of those affected. The numbers of autism cases spiked in the mid-late 90's and continues to remain high. Most children do improve with some sort of biomedical and behavioral intervention.

About Lyme Disease:

Lyme disease is generally caused by a tick bite and can is more effective when antibiotics are administered soon after the infection. Borreliosis is a long-term infection that exists and can be undiagnosed Lyme disease or transmitted in some other way. Symptoms (http://www.lymeinducedautism.com/symptomchecklist.html) include achy joints, confusion, slurring words, word retrieval problems, brain fog, sensitivity to light and sound. Lyme disease in its late stage can be fatal, causing MS like symptoms and debilitating its victims. One of the disorders in which Lyme disease is known to mimic is autism spectrum disorder.

About the LIA Foundation (http://www.liafoundation.org):

The foundation was started in September 2006 by parents of children with autism and Lyme disease. Kathy Blanco of Beaverton, OR and Tami Duncan of Corona, CA are the founders. The foundation's goals are to provide awareness, education and research on the multiple-infections such as Borrelia and its connection to autism.

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