Untangling the most probable role for vitamin D3 in autism
Dermato Endocrinology : e1387702 http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/19381980.2017.1387702
Dianne E Godar , PhD & Stephen J. Merrill , PhD
What might cause Autism?
The most puzzling aspect of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is that identical twins, who share identical DNA, do not have 100% concordance rates. Identical, monozygotic twins only have concordance rates of ~88%, while fraternal, dizygotic twins have concordance rates of ~31%.These twin observations alone provide clues into the etiology: ASD must involve something present in the prenatal environment that both identical twins are not always exposed to because they do not always share it. Identical twins can share the same placenta and amniotic sac (occurrence ~1%) or they can share the same placenta but not their amniotic sac (occurrence ~69%) or they can have their own placentas and amniotic sacs (occurrence ~30%), while fraternal twins always have their own placentas and amniotic sacs.
The subtle differences between the prenatal environments of identical twins, especially their placentas, might explain why a 100% concordance rate of ASD does not exist for them. The placenta often drops near the cervix during the first trimester, especially for males and twins, and it can pick up an infection and transmit it to the fetus. The most prevalent cervical infection worldwide that is also increasing at an exponential rate like autism is HPV. HPV resides in the epithelium cells of the fetuses developing brain in the choroid plexus, a small central structure inside the brain that makes cerebral spinal fluid (CSF). CSF was found to be increased in the ventricles of the brain in children 6 and 12 months old that later developed autism.
We wrote and published an entire paper about how vitamin D3 helps improve the symptoms of ASD and how it lowers the occurrence via boosting the immune system to rid the mother of HPV and the brain (choroid plexus) of autistic children of HPV.
We give all the biochemical evidence, including epigenetic changes, needed to identify HPV as the culprit behind ASD. We also give prevention and treatment options like HPV vaccination with vitamin D and sometimes Rapamycin.
The paper can be found for free here: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19381980.2017.1387702
Research? To find out if HPV infection is the cause of autism, cerebral spinal fluid from identical twins, discordant for autism should show the affected child has HPV while the unaffected child does not (looking for HPV antibodies in the blood will probably not give consistent results because they develop with HPV and most will recognize HPV as 'self'. Alternatively, immunohistochemistry staining for HPV using an amplified signal (see paper for some examples) on post mortem choroid plexus brain sections.
Thank you, Dianne Godar
- Overview Autism and vitamin D
- Autism – 1 in 40 children in the US (as of 2016) – Nov 2018
- Autistic children have lower levels of Iron, Vitamin D, Magnesium, etc – Oct 2017
- ADHD 2 X more likely if Tylenol used a lot during pregnancy (Autism increased too) – Dec 2016
- Autism 4 times more likely if low vitamin D during first trimester – Oct 2016
'Should have a good level of vitamin D before becoming pregnant or take a loading dose ASAP' - Autism risk factors – many are associated with low vitamin D – meta-meta-analysis March 2017
- Vitamin D and autism - treat: 300 IU per kg per day, prevent: during pregnancy 5,000 IU – Feb 2017
- Autism 17 times more likely with excessive Folic Acid and B-12 (now added to bread) – May 2016
10 Most-visited pages in Autism category in Vitamin D Life
Pages listed in BOTH the categories Autism and Genetics
Note: A great many things can change gene activations - even between twins.
A few of which are Magnesium, Omega-3, poor gut, virus,
Download the PDF from Vitamin D Life
Recent studies indicate an important role for vitamin D3 in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), although its mechanism is not completely understood.
The most puzzling aspect of ASD is that identical twins, who share identical DNA, do not have 100% concordance rates (
- ∼88% for identical and
- ∼31% for fraternal twins).
These findings provide major clues into the etiology: ASD must involve an environmental factor present in the prenatal milieu that both identical twins are not always exposed to because they do not always share it (i.e., placentas). Combined with the exponential increasing rates of ASD around the world, these observations suggest a contagious disease is probably transferred to the fetus via the placenta becoming infected by a cervical virus.
Vitamin D3 boosts immune responses clearing viral infections and increases serotonin and estrogen brain levels. Here we review the different roles and untangle the most probable one vitamin D3 plays in ASD.
PDF Table of Contents
Prenatal soluble factors
Vitamin D3 – estrogen, serotonin and immune function
Infectious placental and cervical diseases
Which viral infection?
Supporting evidence HPV is the primary infecting agent
Similarities between Cancer and ASD?
Do HPV's biochemical and epigenetic fingerprints match ASD's fingerprints?
Genetic or epigenetic component?
HPV strains found in cervical smears
Treatment and prevention options