New Article on Apraxia Reaserch

There is a new article out this month on Apraxia research. It is very interesting to me since Emily seems to fit right into what they are talking about.


SYNDROME OF ALLERGY, APRAXIA, AND MALABSORPTION: CHARACTERIZATION OF A NEURODEVELOPMENTAL PHENOTYPE
THAT RESPONDS TO OMEGA 3 AND VITAMIN E SUPPLEMENTATION
Claudia R. Morris, MD; Marilyn C. Agin, MD


Objective • Verbal apraxia is a neurologically based motor planning speech disorder of unknown etiology common in autism
spectrum disorders. Vitamin E defi ciency causes symptoms that overlap those of verbal apraxia. Polyunsaturated fatty acids in the cell membrane are vulnerable to lipid peroxidation and early destruction if vitamin E is not readily available, potentially leading to neurological sequelae. Inflammation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and malabsorption of nutrients such as vitamin E and carnitine may contribute to neurological abnormalities. The goal of this investigation was to characterize symptoms and metabolic anomalies of a subset of children with verbal apraxia who may respond to nutritional interventions.
Design and Patients • A total of 187 children with verbal apraxia received vitamin E + polyunsaturated fatty acid plementation.
A celiac panel, fat-soluble vitamin test, and carnitine level were obtained in patients having blood analyzed. Results • A common clinical phenotype of male predominance, autism, sensory issues, low muscle tone, coordination diffi culties,
>food allergy, and GI symptoms emerged. In all, 181 families (97%) reported dramatic improvements in a number of areas including speech, imitation, coordination, eye contact, behavior, sensory issues, and development of pain sensation. Plasma vitamin E levels varied in children tested; however, pretreatment levels did not reflect clinical response. Low carnitine (20/26), high antigliadin antibodies (15/21), gluten-sensitivity HLA alleles (10/10), and zinc (2/2) and vitamin D defi ciencies (4/7) were common abnormalities. Fat malabsorption was identifi ed in 8 of 11 boys screened. Conclusion • We characterize a novel apraxia phenotype that responds to polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E. The association of carnitine defi ciency, gluten sensitivity/food allergy, and fat malabsorption with the apraxia phenotype suggests that a comprehensive metabolic workup is warranted. Appropriate screening may identify a subgroup of children with a previously unrecognized syndrome of allergy, apraxia, and malabsorption who are responsive to nutritional interventions in addition to traditional speech and occupational therapy. Controlled trials in apraxia and autism spectrum disorders are warranted. (Altern Ther Health Med. 2009;15(4):34-43.)



This was just the first page cliff notes on the article. Could it really be as easy as Vitamin E supplements & dietatry changes? It really just validates pressuing the GI issues for me. I am glad we havent given up. I also am now wondering if Emily doesnt have Celiacs (blood tests are never 100% accurate) or some kind of Malabsorbption disorder. Wow! I am so glad that there are Doctors out there finally beginning to realize that more reaserch needs to be done so we can really start to understand this disorder!


Here is the link to the full article

http://www.alternative-therapies.com/resources/web_pdfs/recent/0709_morris.pdf