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A study has revealed that two novel — and somewhat unusual — therapies may help treat symptoms in individuals with autism; one involves using hot tubs to raise body temperature and the other involves the ingesting of parasitic worms.
There's been considerable evidence recently suggesting that inflammation may play an important role in mediating neuropsychiatric symptoms. Growing evidence suggests that the condition may be a result of an over-active immune system, which results in high levels of inflammation. This theory is supported by the fact that about a third of autistic individuals show clinical improvement when they have a fever or are placed in a hot environment such as a hot tub at 102 degrees Fahrenheit.
In the second part of the study, the researchers examined the effects of treating 10 high-functioning autistic adults with Trichuris suis ova (TSO) — the eggs of the worm Trichuris Trichiura (whip worm). Research has shown that worms learn to survive in humans by dampening the body's inflammatory responses.
"What we found was when they were on the worm, there was an improvement in three different scales that measured rigidity, flexibility or insistence on sameness," Hollander said.
Their findings http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/12/12/how-parasitic-worms-and-hot-tubs-may-treat-autism-symptoms/ still need to be replicated.
(Score: 1) by martyb on Monday August 18 2014, @01:37AM
Right you are and it is now corrected. Thanks for pointing that out!
To keep this at least marginally on-topic, I'd like to blame this mistake on the heat. It's either that or I don't have enough worms to go fishing for some other excuse.worms.
=)
But seriously, I have a few good friends who each have a child diagnosed with various degrees of autism. I'd welcome anything which would ease these kid's daily struggles.
Wit is intellect, dancing.
(Score: 2) by Gaaark on Monday August 18 2014, @01:53AM
Yes... sorry, my bad for not catching it: I did it from work/break and had to work fast on posting it.
--- Please remind me if I haven't been civil to you: I'm channeling MDC. ---Gaaark 2.0 ---
(Score: 2) by Gaaark on Monday August 18 2014, @02:15AM
is from the original article
--- Please remind me if I haven't been civil to you: I'm channeling MDC. ---Gaaark 2.0 ---