By Emily Sorensen A Poway man is part of a groundbreaking study that could lead to new advances in the treatment of Parkinsons disease. Michael Radunsky, a Poway resident, is one of eight Parkinsons patients participating in a special study at Scripps Clinic Movement Disorders Center, where cutting-edge stem cell research may lead to a viable long-term treatment for those afflicted with Parkinsons disease. Michael Radunsky I am proud to be a participant in this seminal research project, said Radunsky, who has been involved with the study for about a year and a half. The study involves harvesting the skin cells, or fibroblasts, from a Parkinsons patient, reprogramming these cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC), further reprogramming the iPSC into dopamine-producing neurons, and finally, implanting these neurons into the patients substantia nigra, a small element deep in the brain which contains neurons that normally produce dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is used to regulate motor activity. In Parkinsons patients, these neurons begin to die and do not produce enough dopamine, according to Radunsky. The goal of the study is to have the newly implanted neurons replace the dying ones to regulate the motor functions of Parkinsons patients. Radunsky … Continue reading →

September 21, 2013 By CHRISTINA A. CASSIDY Associated Press ATLANTA (AP) - In a small room similar to a doctor's office, Marlaina Dreher broke into applause as her 5-year-old son, Brandon, grabbed a red plastic spoon filled with pureed lasagna and fed himself. "Good job taking a bite, buddy," she said, joining in as her son banged his hands on a nearby table. "Good job putting your spoon back." Brandon is autistic, and he's come a long way in his seven weeks in the pediatric feeding disorder program at the Marcus Autism Center. He used to eat only crackers and McDonald's fries, but meal time is no longer a constant battle. "I couldn't have imagined being here seven weeks ago," Dreher said. "My husband, Sean, and I have said, `What if we had come here two years ago? Where would we be now?"' That's the heart of a partnership between the center and the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning. It aims to train a small group of state and contract employees to work with day care operators and pre-K providers throughout Georgia to identify the early warning signs of autism and support parents. Those involved in the effort … Continue reading →

ATLANTA In a small room similar to a doctor's office, Marlaina Dreher broke into applause as her 5-year-old son, Brandon, grabbed a red plastic spoon filled with pureed lasagna and fed himself. "Good job taking a bite, buddy," she said, joining in as her son banged his hands on a nearby table. "Good job putting your spoon back." Brandon is autistic, and he's come a long way in his seven weeks in the pediatric feeding disorder program at the Marcus Autism Center. He used to eat only crackers and McDonald's fries, but meal time is no longer a constant battle. "I couldn't have imagined being here seven weeks ago," Dreher said. "My husband, Sean, and I have said, `What if we had come here two years ago? Where would we be now?"' That's the heart of a partnership between the center and the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning. It aims to train a small group of state and contract employees to work with day care operators and pre-K providers throughout Georgia to identify the early warning signs of autism and support parents. Those involved in the effort point to research that shows that symptoms of the autism spectrum … Continue reading →

In a small room similar to a doctor's office, Marlaina Dreher broke into applause as her 5-year-old son, Brandon, grabbed a red plastic spoon filled with pured lasagna and fed himself. "Good job taking a bite, buddy," she said, joining in as her son banged his hands on a nearby table. "Good job putting your spoon back." Brandon is autistic, and he's come a long way in his seven weeks in the pediatric feeding disorder program at the Marcus Autism Center. He used to eat only crackers and McDonald's fries, but meal time is no longer a constant battle. "I couldn't have imagined being here seven weeks ago," Dreher said. "My husband, Sean, and I have said, 'What if we had come here two years ago? Where would we be now?'" That's the heart of a partnership between the center and the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning. It aims to train a small group of state and contract employees to work with day care operators and pre-K providers throughout Georgia to identify the early warning signs of autism and support parents. Those involved in the effort point to research that shows that symptoms of the autism spectrum disorder, … Continue reading →

By Julliane Love de Jesus INQUIRER.net INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines Autism is a multi-systemic metabolic disorder that can be treated with natural diet, a medical expert said. The old perspective is that its due to genetics, that its a brain disorder and its not treatable but its a multi system metabolic disorder, said Dr. Eileen Comia, medical director of Advance Biomedical Treatment Center based in Bloomfield, Connecticut. In a recent lecture here, Comia said that autism was treatable and that three to 25 percent of children with ASD recover. Comia said that in treating children with autism, she would usually start with the gut. The treatment for autism starts in the gut. You have to control and make this normal, said Comia who is promoting natural and alternative treatment for children suffering from Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Comia said that unknown to most parents autistic behavior may not be caused solely by the disorder itself but by discomfort in the gut. This is why, she said, she recommended a gluten-free and dairy-free diet that could improve the social and cognitive behavior and speech of ASD patients. Citing medical research, Comia said children with autism may be allergic or has … Continue reading →

Hearing that your child has a disorder is nothing any parent wants to hear, but often many developmental disorders are discovered when the child is fairly young. This isnt always the case with autism, though, as the median age children are diagnosed is around eight years old. An autism research center has partnered with a group in Georgia to raise awareness of the early signs of autism. The earlier an autism spectrum disorder is recognized, the sooner the parents and child can gain access to treatment. According to the NIH, autism spectrum disorder is a range of complex neurodevelopment disorders, characterized by social impairments, communication difficulties, and restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped patterns of behavior. Doctors arent aware of any single cause of the disorder, but some people believe that it may be inherited or caused by environmental factors, such as immunizations. The Marcus Autism Center is working with the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning to train childcare providers to identify the early signs of autism. Autism Speaks, an organization that advocates for the disorder, lists the following symptoms as early signs of autism: No big smiles or other warm, joyful expressions by six months or thereafter; No back-and-forth … Continue reading →