We are finally in a position to run some very exciting investigations/interventions with the support of Professor Montagnier, Nobel Prize winner for Medicine (for the discovery of HIV) and Dr. C. Skorupka a DAN! practitioner from Paris and long time friend. The project proposes to look at potential bacterial and viral chronic infections in autism. Prof Montagnier is of the view that some abnormalities in autism as well as in a whole range of neurological conditions, such as chronic fatigue and multiple sclerosis may be caused by potential infective agents. These would be difficult to the immune system to track down and would affect cell function thereby contributing to the development of the pathologies. He has developed a new technique that detects, by resonance, the genetic material of these potential infective agents. Additionally, using a very sensitive PCR assay, he can screen for a range of gram positive and gram negative bacteria as well as mycoplasma and borrelia (Lyme disease). He can also look at viruses (PRC assays under development). We are not alone in believing that this approach can help develop our understanding of the causes of autism and enable it to be treated more effectively. The proposed treatment combines a succession of antibiotics with basic biomedical supplements and probiotics. These antibiotics block cell division rather than kill bacteria, thereby avoiding potential side effects. Unfortunately, at the moment, there is no funding available to cover the costs of this project, but we are hoping to use the data collected to help us obtain funding for future research.

We offer your child the opportunity to be part of this project and to access to the Montagnier Infection Screen protocol. There will be medical follow up from Dr. Skorupka. The details of the project are outlined below. The total cost per child is likely to be around £1800, spread over a six-month period (details below). The antibiotic treatment is not included and may cost some £30- £60 a month, depending of the particular antibiotic selected. Every two months each child’s progress will be reviewed by Dr. Skorupka and Dr. Amet at ATT with interim progress reviews carried out by phone.

The project involves 2 blood tests, one at the start and the other after 6 months of treatment. Also integral to the project are a standardised behavioural evaluation (ADOS) and Vineland Test, both at the start and at the end of the project. If you are interested in participating in this project please contact us as soon as possible. We intend to commence testing on the 14^th and 15^th of September. We will be able to accommodate 12 children at first, but will consider including additional participants if demand is high. Please note that there is absolutely no obligation to continue with the full proposed treatment if your child clearly does not benefit from it, but we recommend at least 3 months of treatment in order for you to evaluate of potential benefits, and of course the treatment will depend on the laboratory findings and clinical evaluation of each child.

Aims of the project:

1- Investigate the possibility that some cases of autism are associated with a range of bacterial infections, based on laboratory testing and clinical examination conducted by Dr. C. Skorupka in Edinburgh.

2- Assess the ASD children for the presence of nanobacteria following Prof Luc Montagnier’s protocol of investigations. The protocol would require a blood draw conducted at the clinic with the help of our nurse. The blood normally has to be centrifugated immediately and the supernatant extracted, then frozen to -80C and shipped on carboice to France.

3- Evaluate the efficacy of antibiotic intervention as well as behavioural evaluations (ATEC and ADOS). This would involve meeting with Dr Skopurpka and Dr. Amet every 2 months and reviewing progress over the phone in the interim month.

4- Report outcomes.

Autism Research Institute Awards Research Grant to French Nobel Prize Winner, Prof. Luc Montagnier

The Autism Research Institute recently awarded a research grant to scientist Prof. Luc Montagnier to study bacterial DNA in autism. Prof. Montagnier won a Nobel Prize in Medicine in 2008. He is best known for his 1983 discovery of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In December of last year, ARI Director Dr. Steve Edelson met with Prof. Montagnier in Paris to learn about his pilot findings and to discuss research funding. Dr. Edelson recently stated, “Given the caliber of Montagnier’s work, I truly hope that he will provide us with further insight into the medical problems associated with autism.”

Note: while visiting Paris, Drs. Edelson and Valerie Paradiz met with a judge from the European Union to discuss autism in relation to human discrimination problems in France. Unfortunately, the French government’s "treatment of choice" is psychoanalysis.

Background info:

ASD patients, in general terms, share the presence of a triad of impairments in social interaction, communication and imagination, which are thought to be due to abnormalities in brain function or structure and are thought to have a genetic basis.  The incidence of ASD is currently estimated at 1 in 100 children.  In some patients there are also a number of other less specific chronic signs and symptoms. Among these are fatigue, headaches, gastrointestinal and vision problems and occasional intermittent low-grade fevers and other signs and symptoms that are generally excluded in the diagnosis of ASD.  These suggest that a subset of ASD patients may suffer from bacterial and/or viral infections.  There are several reasons for this, including the non-random or clustered appearance of ASD, sometimes in immediate family members or particular regions, the presence of certain signs and symptoms associated with infection, the cyclic course of the illness and in some cases its response to anti-microbial therapies. At the Institute for Molecular Medicine evidences of systemic infections with Mycoplasma species, Chlamydia pneumoniae and Human Herpes Virus-6 (HHV-6), have been found in a high percentage of ASD patients, and these infections are likely to be important in determining the treatment strategies for many ASD patients.  These infections can penetrate the CNS and are associated with other neurological diseases.  In addition, heavy metal contamination, chemical and environmental exposures also appear to be important in ASD.

Since these infections can cause neurological signs and symptoms, they may be important in ASD.  Previously it was found that children of Mycoplasma-positive Gulf War veterans were over 18-times more likely to come down with Mycoplasma fermentans than the general population and high rates of ASD diagnoses were found in their children.  In addition, examination of a group of autism patients from civilian families revealed that there was a high incidence of mycoplasmal infections, including M. fermentans, M. pneumoniae and M. hominis as well as co-infections with C. pneumoniae or HHV-6, suggesting that chronic infections are common in ASD patients and should be effectively treated.