Too soon to pop the corks, but this latest finding does show great promise.
Abstract View
SECRETIN ACTIVATES VISCERAL BRAIN REGIONS INCLUDING AREAS ABNORMAL IN AUTISM
M.G. Welch1*; J.D. Keune1; T.B. Welch-Horan1; D.A. Ruggiero1,2
1. Psychiatry, 2. Anatomy, Columbia University College of Physicians
and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
Secretin, a 27 amino acid gut/brain neuropeptide, has reported
behavioral effects in autistic children. We examined regional Fos immunoreactivity in response to i.c.v. secretin (10-30g) injection in sentient S.D. rats.
Tissue sections were processed immunohistochemically with c-fos specific
antibody and examined three hours later. Qualitative differences in Fos
immunoreactivity were observed between secretin- and vehicle-infused
age-matched pairs (n=4 pairs). Secretin-infused rats showed altered
numbers of Fos-immunoreactive nuclei in visceral representation areas of the
brain.
Secretin-activated regions include the area postrema, medial region of
the nucleus of the solitary tract and its relay station in the lateral
tegmentum, ventral periaqueductal gray, periventricular thalamic nucleus,
paraventricular hypothalamus magnocellularis, medial and cortical
amygdala, piriform cortex, lateral septal complex, medial bank of the anterior
prefrontal cortex as well as ependymal and subependymal nuclei.
Secretin attenuated Fos immunoreactivity in the dorsal periaqueductal gray, the
intralaminar thalamus, the medial parvicellular, CRH, compartment of
the hypothalamus, and the somatosensory and association areas of the
parietal cortex. The regions effected by secretin in this study overlap with
regions identified as being abnormal in autistic brains. Conclusions. Secretin
alters the activity of structures involved in behavioral conditioning of
stress adaptation reactions and visceral reflex adjustments. This study
provides evidence for the regulatory actions of secretin and its possible
therapeutic use in autism.
Supported by: NIH NS36363 & Columbia Univ. Grant #644613
Citation:
M.G. Welch, J.D. Keune, T.B. Welch-Horan, D.A. Ruggiero. SECRETIN
ACTIVATES VISCERAL BRAIN REGIONS INCLUDING AREAS ABNORMAL IN AUTISM Program No. 896.2.
2002 Abstract Viewer/Itinerary Planner. Washington, DC: Society for
Neuroscience, 2002. Online.
wow!!! I know that there are structural differences that are easily seen in MRIs of autistic brains as compared to normal brains. Will secretin perpetuate structural changes in autistic brains? Do you know it was admnistered?
I have read that pangamic acid is benificial in treating so I am womdering if perhaps pangamic acid is a precurser to secretin.
I know how mystfying the brain can be and I don’t yet comprehend alot of your post but it refreshing to see someone talk in the realm of science. We get enough hocus pocus.