CHILDHOOD
autism may be linked to a deficiency of
fatty acids found in oily fish,
according to Scottish researchers.
A pilot
study carried out recently at the
University of Stirling have found that
children with autism break down fatty
acids more rapidly than normal cells. A
further study has been commissioned to
find the "crucial piece of the puzzle"
for a condition with no known scientific
explanation.
The number
of children with autism in Scotland have
risen dramatically in the past ten
years, as indeed it has across the
developed world. In Scotland, an
estimated 50,000 people, nearly 7,000 of
them children, suffer from autism.
The
Scottish researchers now think that the
fatty acids found in fish may be a
partial trigger to autism.
The
membranes of brain cells are made
primarily of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty
acids, substances found in oily fish
such as mackerel and salmon.
A study of
about 20 autistic children last year
revealed that these children metabolised
the fatty acids in cell membranes at a
faster rate than other children. This
led to speculation that a fatty acid
deficiency may be partially responsible
for the onset of autism. A further study
of 50 children will attempt to confirm
the results.
Dr Gordon
Bell of The University of Stirling says
"We have already seen a connection
between omega levels and schizophrenia
and dyslexia. If cell function in the
brain is changed, the behaviour of the
brain will change as well."
He
continues "In exactly what way we don’t
know, but if our hypothesis proves
accurate, it could be a first step to
uncovering some of the mysteries of
autism."
Dr Bell
compared cell membranes to a "brick
wall" of fatty acids. He compared the
deficiency in autistic children to a
wall that loses bricks faster than they
can be replaced.
If the
scientists confirm this is a partial
cause for autism, they may conclude that
people with autism need to replenish
"bricks" of fatty acids at a greater
rate; in short, eat more fish.
John
McDonald, chief executive of the
Scottish Society for Autism, welcomed
the new research as an aid to families
struggling to understand the condition.
"There’s so much information we don’t
have," he said. "This particular piece
of research will just add another piece
to the jigsaw. The good news is that
there are lots of really high-quality
people around trying to help."
Source:
The Scotsman, June 1st 2005
