Point Park University's Student-Run Newspaper

Point Park Globe

Point Park University's Student-Run Newspaper

Point Park Globe

Point Park University's Student-Run Newspaper

Point Park Globe

New U.K. study detects Autism at young age with brain scans

            Brian Willingham-McLain, an Oakland resident, is 12-years-old and enjoys Disney movies, swimming, and doing flips on his trampoline; all activities one would expect from a normal boy of his age. However, Brian’s life is far from, what people classify as, “normal.” When he was four years old, Brian was diagnosed with Autism and every day has become a challenge for him and his family.            Autism is one of three pervasive development disorders (PDD’s) that make up the Autism spectrum. Causing highly impaired social skills and delays in standard language, it is a neurological disorder that affects the behavior of nearly one in every hundred Americans. Due to its mysterious nature and unknown cause, diagnosis can usually not be determined until the afflicted child passes the age of five or six.“We didn’t have any indication [when he was an] infant.” said Brian’s mother, Laurel Willingham-McLain.However, the likelihood of early indicators could very well increase in time.            A new study in the United Kingdom may have found a new way to diagnose Autism at a very young age. Dr. Christine Ecker of the Institute of Psychiatry has discovered abnormalities in the brains of people with Autism. Using a new program that she developed to detect patterns in a person’s anatomy, she was able to use a simple MRI brain scan to distinguish an autistic brain from a normal brain. The study had a 90 percent success rate with autistic adults and Ecker hopes to perform the study with children soon. If successful, the program could help to diagnose Autism at a much earlier age.            “I would be completely for it if they could find an earlier diagnosis,” Laurel said.            “Anything they can use to yield those diagnoses early on would be wonderful so that they can start treatment as early as possible,” said Jeanne Beveridge of the Point Park University Student Health Center.MRI scans use magnetic waves to convert signals from hydrogen atoms in a subject’s body into a digital image. Essentially, it “reads” the water inside the human and turns it into a picture. They are said to be safe for use on infants but since the subjects are required to remain still during scans. Children usually have to be sedated for the tests to work properly.Another obstacle is the cost. MRI tests can run anywhere from $400 to $3,500 depending on the institution and a person’s health insurance. The question is whether or not parents would be willing to spend that much to ensure their children’s health and well-being. Families with a history of autism might answer differently due to the genetic factors of the condition.Early intervention is said to be one of the most important aspects of treatment for Autism victims. Dr. Brent Robbins of Point Park’s Humanities and Human Sciences department spoke about “mirror neurons” that exist in the human brain and how “the primary ways that we learn […] through observations,” particularly at ages 2 to 4. When children observe their parents performing simple tasks, such as using a fork or locking a door, those neurons activate and they experience a desire to imitate. Many men were never explicitly “taught” how to shave and merely learned from watching their fathers do it.            “These particular neurons don’t seem to function the same way in someone with autism,” Robbins said.            Unable to imitate in the same way that normal people can, children with Autism can be treated with behavioral therapy and positive reinforcement to help them communicate with others. Laurel Willingham-McLain explained how Brian had numerous behavioral difficulties, including aggression, because he was not able to use traditional forms of communication to tell his parents what he wanted.            While the “cause” of Autism has been researched as an imbalance in one’s mirror neurons and serotonin levels, the exact cause of this imbalance are is unknown. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter in the blood and spinal fluid which helps to regulate sleep cycles, moods, sensory perceptions, and a number of other psychological functions that are associated with Autism. Nevertheless, a number of theories have emerged over time. The most prominently is the controversial thimerosal debate. Thimerosal is a mercury-based preservative found in numerous vaccinations, such as Hepatitis-B shots, and which many believe to be a leading cause of serotonin imbalances. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., however, led a crusade against the use of thimerosal in vaccinations since 2005 and has stated in numerous interviews, articles and letters that he believes the U.S. government is covering up the connection between Autism and mercury poisoning.            While her new technology has had a high success rate thus far, Dr. Ecker has made it clear that her research is currently limited to adults with standard Kanner’s Autism and that it might not be able to successfully diagnose other forms of PDD; such as Asperger’s Syndrome.            In addition to the new technology being developed overseas, local universities are also working to do their part. Carnegie Mellon University researchers have taken part in a national initiative to use computer vision and machine learning programs to study the interaction and behavior of children in an attempt to diagnose Autism at an earlier age. This program will run for five years and will cost $10 million.           

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