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At the beginning of this month there were a couple of studies that came out which garnered some modest press. The first was “Dementia Epidemic Looms with 135 million Sufferers Expected by 2050”. This particular headline was on Fox, but was similarly reported by multiple outlets (see 12/5/13 FoxNews.com).
The story highlighted the exponential growth expected in dementia, highlighted by Alzheimer’s, going from 44 million to 135 million by 2050. Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) said the study showed a 17% increase over two years, which when extrapolated forward gives the 135 million in 2050 figure. This growth rate is significantly higher than the world population growth of about 1.2% (US Census Bureau). More telling, the world population growth will be cut in half between now and 2050 to .6% (US Census again). The ADI called it a “global epidemic” which is only going to get worse. The current global cost of care for dementia is more than $600 billion, equal to about 1.0 percent. At 2050 we are talking about 3% of the global population having dementia given the estimates above, which will become a serious drag on global growth.
Now where have we come across numbers similar to this before? A subset of the population that is growing significantly faster than the population as a whole. A subset that should remain constant in percentage terms if it is genetic. And, a subset that seems to be growing along with another subset, or subsets actually. Yes, the autism and dementia growth rates are very similar. Possibly a coincidence. Possibly not. When you figure in the increasing rates of autoimmune conditions (which are also similar) and see that all seem to increase exponentially from the same base, the possibility of coincidence diminishes.
I find it interesting that we are not hearing about better diagnosis in terms of dementia, or autoimmune conditions, only in autism. SO what could be causing this?
WELL, a few days later, a second study, reported in multiple outlets, indicated that “autism may be linked to gastrointestinal issues” according to a study from Caltech (12/7/13).
The study evidenced that behaviors associated with autism are “influenced from gastrointestinal (GI) issues, and could be treated with probiotic therapy.” Researchers utilized a particular “good” human bacteria in a mouse model to treat induced GI & autism issues, what resulted was a decrease in GI troubles and in autism like symptoms. This led the scientists to theorize that behavioral issues on the autism spectrum may be caused by GI issues and can be treated by healing the gut.
The study also pointed out how “leaky gut”, the induced GI condition, has also become a target of researchers in Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s; as other studies have tied these conditions to GI disease. What Caltech scientists conclude is “this suggests that GI problems could contribute to particular symptoms in neurodevelopmental disorders”.
The specific connections investigated between autism and GI were: chronic constipation, diarrhea, reflux, IBD in GI and; defects in social interaction, communication and repetitive behaviors in autism.
IT seems from all this that the increases in the neuro & autoimmune conditions may be linked by GI. Long thought to reside in the brain, perhaps all the trouble, or the cause of these conditions lies in the stomach/GI tract. If so, this would also lead one to believe the hypothesis that something, other than better diagnosis, is causing the exponential increase in these conditions. This brings us back to the heavy use of antibiotics, pesticides, drugs and other chemicals in our food supply, bodies and environment.
The HOPE is that this information will more research and focus on the gut’s impact on autism, dementia and all the above. The exciting implications of this, according to the researchers, is that the gut is far easier to study and address than the brain and potentially more impactful, as the mice in the study became more communicative and less anxious with treatment (particular probiotics). Stay tuned.
PS: As mentioned in previous posts, my son has had serious GI issues, including painful reflux and ulcerative colitis. Test results (scopes) of his GI tract led more than one doctor to date the beginning of his GI trouble to the approximate beginning of his autism regression (without knowing that he regressed). Treatments for GI issues have significantly benefited Alex and though still non-verbal, his behaviors, control and vocalizations have improved over the last year of treatment (again for GI). I will keep this post updated on his improvements going forward. If you have had similar experiences, feel free to share and I will include.
