Aspergers and PKU (Phenylketonuria)/other gene correlations

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changing89
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31 Aug 2010, 1:09 am

Hey all,

If your reading the title and your thinking to yourself, these are two totally different things, well your right. But I have come up with an idea, and I really have little evidence to show for it because quite frankly I am very tired and I don't feel like compiling a bunch of data to support my claim at the moment, but maybe someone can help me out.

I had to post something because this was eating at me. I've come to the belief that Aspergers is not environmental, but it is a gene linked abnormality. As I'm sure this was proved before and I'm still new to the issue of research with autism. So forgive me if I'm missing some things.

PKU is a gene linked abnormality in which the person cannot metabolize phenylalanine (a type of amino acid). When this excess buildup of amino acid gathers in the body (a bunch of gook in the brain) it can lead to mental retardation and hyperactivity. This really got me thinking from another perspective. I have come up with the idea that those with autism or aspergers (me) might be suffering from a metabolic/gene linked abnormality. I do not believe it is in the diet that we can change, I believe we were born with an abnormality that causes us to slow down/ just have an extremely difficult time understanding certain social aspects. For example, spacing out and enjoying nature at inappropriate times (like in the middle of a conversation and not even noticing it). Is there a possibility, has there been research conducted that we have an abundant amount of a certain amino acid? Is there truly any possible link between PKU and Aspergers? I'm not saying PKU specifically as I cannot even make an assumption, I'm not an expert.

Look forward to hearing from you guys



opal
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01 Sep 2010, 3:04 am

Babies are now tested for PKU as a matter of course before they leave hospital. They must follow a strict diet low in the amino acid, and although they once recommended stopping this at teenage, they now recommend they stay on it for life, as psychiatric and behavioural issues can result.

So , although some of the symptoms can resemble autism, it isn't autism. Some people on the spectrum have very high IQs. Untreated PKU individuals are ret*d.
Also, if you had PKU and lived in a country with modern health care, you (or at least your parents ) would have been told.



changing89
Tufted Titmouse
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01 Sep 2010, 2:33 pm

my questions have still gone unanswered. Is there any possible chance that there could be some other amino acid that we're not able to digest?