Autism: An Overview and Theories on its Causes

Autism: An Overview and Theories on its Causes

Guts, Brains & Gulf Veterans

Guts, Brains & Gulf Veterans: "5. IAG and Opioids. The production of IAG in the gut leads to extensive disorder of gut structure and function. Digestive processes are reduced leading to incomplete breakdown of proteins in the food and the increase in biologically active peptides such as the casomorphins, derived from milk, and the gliadomorphins derived from gluten. The compromised gut wall is 'leaky' and allows the opioid peptides resulting in extensive modulation of peripheral and central opioid effects. The central effects include changes in behaviour, cognition, perception and mood via major effects on the higher executive functions. In autism there are also changes in pain levels and in gut function which are consistent with this hypothesis, eg. self harming behaviour and large stool formation. The opioid theory of autism was first proposed by Pansepp, 1979 and since then has been supported by the work of Reichelt, 1981 and Shattock and colleagues, 1997,1998, 1999, 2000. Recent research on dermorphins, possible products of microbial metabolism, Clostridia spp. are the most likely source in the gut, has added to this theory, Reference. Dermorphins are some 700-fold more potent than morphine and opioids, AAL, 2000. They contain D-amino acids which render them resistant to metabolic breakdown and therefore prolong their actions in the body. "