Return To Book 3 Table Of Contents
A Critical Lesson In History...
As I neared the completion of my second book, Breaking The Code To Remove The Shackles of Autism: When The Parts Are Not Understood And The Whole Is Lost! and, as I read more and more on matters of autism, I became very concerned that materials I read so often included references to another disorder – references to a disorder that seemed so completely unrelated to autism. Within me, there was soon that “inner voice” telling me to look deeper into this issue – and so I did.
I found that this “other disorder” simply had “too many parallels to autism” for my comfort. This second disorder was – Alzheimer’s! I knew autism had previously been called “childhood schizophrenia”, but finding so many parallels between autism and Alzheimer’s raised a huge red flag within me. As such, I decided to spend some time investigating Alzheimer’s – and then, with those findings, I then decided to also investigate schizophrenia.
Provided below was a chart of parallels I had found among these disorders. Note especially the “previously called” comment on this chart in terms of the name by which each disorder was previously known.
Although this research project was not entirely completed, with over one hundred and forty parallels among these three disorders, I had seen enough to know there was reason to be concerned and certainly enough information to have a “discussion” of these issues – and hence – the reason for my writing this book.
The latest version of this chart was available on my website: http://www.autismhelpforyou.com. This information was provided to Congressman Dan Burton as official testimony entered on behalf of the public for the December 10, 2002 hearings on vaccinations.
Autism - Alzheimer's - Schizophrenia Comparison
Was all this "just coincidence"?
|
YOU DECIDE... |
||
|
AUTISM |
ALZHEIMER'S |
SCHIZOPHRENIA |
|
Age 1 - 6 |
Age 40 on (youngest case, age 28), greater frequency with increase in age |
Early teens - 40 |
| Epidemic levels (estimates range from 1 in 250, to 1 in 150 impacted). | Epidemic levels (over 85 years old, 50% impacted, 75-85 20% impacted, 65-75 10% impacted, now seeing people in their 40s and 50s with Alzheimer's. Youngest documented case = 28 years old). | Epidemic levels (1 in 100 impacted) |
|
Previously called: Childhood Schizophrenia Discovered by Leo Kanner |
Previously called: Dementia Praecox Discovered by Alois Alzheimer's - worked for Emil Kraepelin and was considered Emil Kraepelin's protégé |
Previously called: Dementia Praecox Discovered by Emil Kraepelin Kraepelin - the man also most closely associated with Bi-polar |
| Gradual onset usually, but can be sudden | Gradual onset | Gradual onset usually, but can be sudden |
| Short term, long term and working memory impacted | Short term, long term and working memory impacted | Short term, long term and working memory impacted |
| Lethargic, no energy | Lethargic, no energy | Lethargic, no energy, decreased motivation |
| Loss of intellectual abilities (ie., problems with abstract thinking) | Loss of intellectual abilities (ie., problems with abstract thinking) | Loss of intellectual abilities (ie., problems with abstract thinking) |
| Impact on social activities and everyday tasks | Impact on social activities and everyday tasks | Impact on social activities and everyday tasks |
| Suffer from "sensory overload" (ie., can only handle so much sensory input at once) | Suffer from "sensory overload" (ie., can only handle so much sensory input at once) | Suffer from "sensory overload" (ie., can only handle so much sensory input at once) |
| Process, sequencing and task completion issues | Process, sequencing and task completion issues | Process, sequencing and task completion issues |
| Hand over hand techniques help (ie., do the first step in the task and they can continue on) | Hand over hand techniques help (ie., do the first step in the task and they can continue on) | STILL NEED TO INVESTIGATE |
| Judgment issues (ie. Wearing wrong clothes for the season) | Judgment issues (ie. Wearing wrong clothes for the season) | Judgment issues (ie. Wearing wrong clothes for the season) |
| Some have difficulty determining where their body stops and something else begins | STILL NEED TO INVESTIGATE | Some have difficulty determining where their body stops and something else begins |
| Inability to follow simple instructions | Inability to follow simple instructions | STILL NEED TO INVESTIGATE |
| Problems with face and voice recognition | Problems with face and voice recognition | Problems with face and voice recognition (see/hear things or see distortions) |
| Unable to recognize self in a mirror | Unable to recognize self in a mirror | May not recognize self/see distorted self in a mirror |
| Unable to perceive what others are thinking | STILL NEED TO INVESTIGATE | Unable to perceive what others are thinking |
| Difficulty with language production | Difficulty with language production | Difficulty with language production |
| Difficulty with language comprehension | Difficulty with language comprehension | Difficulty with language comprehension |
| Unable to process rapid speech | Unable to process rapid speech | Issues with rapid speech |
| Difficulty with conversation | Difficulty with conversation | Difficulty with conversation |
| Pronoun confusion/self-reference issues | Pronoun confusion/self-reference issues | Pronoun confusion/self-reference issues |
| Nonsense language | Nonsense language | Nonsense language |
| Echolalia (parrot what others say) | Echolalia (parrot what others say) | Echolalia (parrot what others say) |
| STILL NEED TO INVESTIGATE | STILL NEED TO INVESTIGATE | Thought insertion issues (say that thoughts they have belong to someone else). I suspect “thought insertion” may result from seizures known as “psychic seizures”. In these seizures, persons report experiencing “forced thoughts”, in addition to issues with concept of self, concept of reality, etc. |
| Repetition of words (their own) | Repetition of words (their own) | Repetition of words (their own) |
| Use "related words" in speaking (reference communication based on word associations) | Use "related words" in speaking (reference communication based on word associations) | Use "related words" in speaking (reference communication based on word or sound associations) |
| Flat, monotone or high pitch speech | STILL NEED TO INVESTIGATE | Flat, monotone speech |
| Do not understand humor, sarcasm or "expressions" | Do not understand humor, sarcasm or "expressions" | Do not understand "expressions" |
| Can read but not understand meaning of what is read | Can read but not understand meaning of what is read | STILL NEED TO INVESTIGATE |
| May be mute | May be mute | May be mute |
| "Deaf child" syndrome - appear to be deaf but hearing tests normal | "Deaf adult" syndrome - appear to be deaf but hearing tests normal | "Deaf adult" syndrome - appear to be deaf (also problems with auditory hallucinations, yet, appear able to accurately "hear" instructions to perform specific tasks) |
| Little or no response to stimuli or need more time "to respond" | Little or no response to stimuli or need more time "to respond" | Little or no response to stimuli or need more time "to respond" |
| Issues with concept of self (self is "lost") | Issues with concept of self (self is "lost") | Issues with concept of self (self is "lost") |
| Wander off, easily disoriented | Wander off, easily disoriented | STILL NEED TO INVESTIGATE |
| Often don't know how to "turn around"/issues with direction changes | Often don't know how to "turn around"/issues with direction changes | STILL NEED TO INVESTIGATE |
| Follow "repetitive path" during daytime | Follow "repetitive path" during daytime | STILL NEED TO INVESTIGATE |
| Balance issues | Balance issues | STILL NEED TO INVESTIGATE |
| Abnormal gait | Abnormal gait | Abnormal gait |
| Issues with safety/don't perceive danger (ie., walk in middle of street) | Issues with safety/don't perceive danger (ie., walk in middle of street) | Issues with safety/don't perceive danger (ie., walk in middle of street) |
| Decreased attention span, inability to concentrate | Decreased attention span, inability to concentrate | Decreased attention span, inability to concentrate |
| Attention transition issues | Attention transition issues | Attention transition issues |
| Focus on "parts" as opposed to "the whole" | STILL NEED TO INVESTIGATE | Focus on "parts" as opposed to "the whole" |
| Blank stares | Blank stares | Blank stares |
| Poor eye contact | Poor eye contact | Poor eye contact |
| Regression in behavior | Regression in behavior | Regression in behavior |
| Lack of physical coordination | Lack of physical coordination | Lack of physical coordination |
| Poor eye-hand coordination | Poor eye-hand coordination | STILL NEED TO INVESTIGATE |
| Hand/arm flapping | Hand/arm flapping | Hand/arm flapping |
| Odd and inappropriate behaviors | Odd and inappropriate behaviors | Odd and inappropriate behaviors |
| Repetitive ritualistic behaviors/task fixation (ie., walking around in circles, purposeless movement) | Repetitive ritualistic behaviors/task fixation (ie., walking around in circles, purposeless movement) | Repetitive ritualistic behaviors/task fixation (ie., walking around in circles, purposeless movement) |
| Picking at things and wandering aimlessly indoors (possible sign of seizures) | Picking at things and wandering aimlessly indoors (possible sign of seizures) | Aimless motor activity |
| Self-injurious behaviors (ie., head banging, biting, etc.) | Self-injurious behaviors (ie., head banging, biting, etc.) | Self-injurious behaviors (ie., head banging, biting, suicide attempts, etc.) |
| Pain insensitivity | Difficult to determine if this is an issue. Caregivers often have a very difficult time determining if Alzheimer's patient is in pain or not. | Pain insensitivity |
| Turn lights or switches on and off | Turn lights or switches on and off | STILL NEED TO INVESTIGATE |
| Tearing of things (papers, one's clothing, etc.) | Tearing of things | Tearing of things (papers, one's clothing, etc.) |
| Can be in catatonic-like state | Can be in catatonic-like state | Can be in catatonic-like state |
| Constantly "sorting" things | Constantly "sorting" things | STILL NEED TO INVESTIGATE |
| Want objects placed in a specific manner only | Want objects placed in a specific manner only | STILL NEED TO INVESTIGATE |
| "Hoarding" behaviors | "Hoarding" behaviors | "Hoarding" behaviors |
| Issues with getting dressed (ie., need help with basics) | Issues with getting dressed (ie., need help with basics) | Issues with getting dressed (ie., need help with basics) |
| Undress in public | Undress in public | Undress in public |
| Myoclonal movement (sudden, brief, jerking motions) | Myoclonal movement (sudden, brief, jerking motions) | Myoclonal movement (sudden, brief, jerking motions) |
| Find comfort in "rocking" motion | Find comfort in "rocking" motion | Find comfort in "rocking" motion |
| Difficulty understanding facial expressions | Difficulty understanding facial expressions | STILL NEED TO INVESTIGATE |
| Problems expressing emotions, emotional unresponsiveness | Problems expressing emotions, emotional unresponsiveness | Problems expressing emotions, emotional unresponsiveness |
|
Issues with time perception |
Issues with time perception | Issues with time perception |
| Little or no body language | Little or no body language | Little or no body language |
| Grimacing | Grimacing | Grimacing |
| Unprovoked and/or inappropriate crying/laughter | Unprovoked and/or inappropriate crying/laughter | Unprovoked and/or inappropriate crying/laughter |
| Issues with sense of touch | STILL NEED TO INVESTIGATE | Issues with sense of touch |
| Upset by changes in environment | Upset by changes in environment | Upset by changes in environment |
| Routines appear to help/insist or engage in "unusual" routines also | Routines appear to help/insist or engage in "unusual" routines also | Routines appear to help/insist or engage in "unusual" routines also |
| Music therapy found helpful | Music therapy found helpful | Music therapy found helpful |
| Subject to hallucinations (Delusions in this age group would be difficult to assess) | Subject to hallucinations and delusions (see Updates section on my website for my thoughts on why delusions may be seizures involving parts of brain dealing with reality and concept of self ) | Subject to hallucinations and delusions (see Updates section on my website for my thoughts on why delusions may be seizures involving parts of brain dealing with reality and concept of self ) |
| Sensitivity to gluten/grain proteins (acts as natural opiate/hallucinogen) | Sensitivity to gluten/grain proteins associated with dementia | Sensitivity to gluten/grain proteins |
| Sensitivity to casein/milk protein (acts as natural opiate/hallucinogen) | High levels of casein kinase-1 (CK-1) found in nerve cells inside cellular sacs called vacuoles and as such CK-1 is now considered a possible "marker" for Alzheimer's. CK-1 also appears to play a role in tau protein functions and dopamine. | Sensitivity to casein/milk protein |
| Low levels of DHA (fatty acid found in milk that impacts neuro and retinal development) | Low levels of DHA (fatty acid found in milk that impacts neuro and retinal development) | Low levels of DHA (fatty acid found in milk that impacts neuro and retinal development) |
| Changes in eating patterns (ie., some want to eat all the time, others must almost be forced to eat) | Changes in eating patterns (ie., some want to eat all the time, others must almost be forced to eat) | STILL NEED TO INVESTIGATE |
| Difficulty in swallowing | Difficulty in swallowing | STILL NEED TO INVESTIGATE |
| Weight loss | Weight loss | Weight loss |
| Issues with differentiating "reality" verses the "non-real" (i.e., unable to pretend at first, but when "learn to pretend", pretending can become excessive, talking to imaginary friends, etc.) | Issues with differentiating "reality" verses the "non-real" (i.e., pretending, talking to imaginary friends, etc.) | Issues with differentiating "reality" verses the "non-real" (i.e., pretending, talking to imaginary friends, etc.) |
| Irrational fears | Irrational fears, paranoid | Irrational fears, paranoid |
| Inappropriate sexual behavior | Inappropriate sexual behavior | Inappropriate sexual behavior |
| Bathing issues are common | Bathing issues are common | Bathing issues are common |
| Abnormal sleep patterns | Abnormal sleep patterns | Abnormal sleep patterns |
| Symptoms vary among those affected | Symptoms vary among those affected | Symptoms vary among those affected |
| Pacing | Pacing | Pacing |
| Twirl hair | Twirl hair | Twirl hair |
| Make up own words or sounds | Make up own words or sounds | Make up own words or sounds |
| Disorganized, fragmented thoughts | Disorganized, fragmented thoughts | Disorganized, fragmented thoughts |
| Difficult to assess in this age group | STILL NEED TO INVESTIGATE | Preoccupation with religion or the occult |
| STILL NEED TO INVESTIGATE | STILL NEED TO INVESTIGATE | Unusual body positioning |
| Aggression | Aggression | Aggression |
| Agitation/hyperactivity/constant movement | Agitation/hyperactivity/constant movement | Agitation/hyperactivity/constant movement |
| Anxiety | Anxiety | Anxiety |
| Apathy | Apathy | Apathy |
| Can physically abuse caregivers | Can physically abuse caregivers | Can physically abuse caregivers |
| Confusion | Confusion | Confusion |
| Depression | Depression | Depression |
| Irritability | Irritability | Irritability |
| Loss of spontaneity | Loss of spontaneity | Loss of spontaneity |
| Mood variability | Mood variability | Mood variability |
| Neglect basic hygiene (many not potty trained until very, very late, issues with brushing teeth, hair, etc.) | Neglect basic hygiene | Neglect basic hygiene |
| Rage | Rage | Rage |
| Socially withdrawn, prefer to stay alone | Socially withdrawn, prefer to stay alone | Socially withdrawn, prefer to stay alone |
| Stubbornness | Stubbornness | Stubbornness |
| Tantrums/screaming | Tantrums/screaming | Tantrums/screaming |
| Abnormal brain mass/structure (some sections larger than normal, others smaller ) | Abnormal brain mass/structure (tremendous degeneration/loss of cells, enlarged ventricles) | Abnormal brain mass/structure (smaller brain overall, enlarged ventricles, huge loss of gray matter) |
| Abnormal neural cell division/maturation/migration | Abnormal neural cell division/maturation/migration | Abnormal neural cell division/maturation/migration |
| Abnormal calcium metabolism | Abnormal calcium metabolism | Abnormal calcium metabolism |
| Abnormal copper-zinc metabolism | Abnormal copper-zinc metabolism | Abnormal copper-zinc metabolism |
| Abnormal neurotransmitter levels of dopamine | Abnormal neurotransmitter levels of dopamine | Abnormal neurotransmitter levels of dopamine |
| Abnormal GABA receptor functions | Abnormal GABA receptor functions | Abnormal GABA receptor functions |
| Abnormal neurotransmitter levels of norepinephrine | Abnormal neurotransmitter levels of norepinephrine | Abnormal neurotransmitter levels of norepinephrine |
| Abnormal neurotransmitter levels of serotonin | Abnormal neurotransmitter levels of serotonin | Abnormal neurotransmitter levels of serotonin |
| Abnormal sulfate levels | Abnormal sulfate levels | STILL NEED TO INVESTIGATE |
| Basal ganglia implications found (note: girls have larger basal ganglia than boys - may offer more protection) | Basal ganglia implications found (incl. high iron in basal ganglia) | Basal ganglia implications found |
| Brain lesions found | Brain lesions found | STILL NEED TO INVESTIGATE |
| Changes found in brain asymmetry | Changes found in brain asymmetry | Changes found in brain asymmetry |
| Brain stem defects in some cases - in reticular formation | Brain stem defects in some cases - in reticular formation | STILL NEED TO INVESTIGATE |
| Carnosine supplementation helpful | Carnosine supplementation helpful | STILL NEED TO INVESTIGATE |
| Cortical acetylcholine deficiency | Cortical acetylcholine deficiency | STILL NEED TO INVESTIGATE |
| Dysfunction in brain cell myelination processes | Dysfunction in brain cell myelination processes | Dysfunction in brain cell myelination processes |
| Digestive system problems (irritable bowel syndrome, yeast, GI flora imbalance, diarrhea, etc.) | Digestive system problems (yeast, colitis, etc.) | Digestive system problems (irritable bowel syndrome) |
| Abnormal glutamate and aspartate levels | Abnormal glutamate and aspartate levels | Abnormal glutamate and aspartate levels |
| Elevated homocysteine levels | Elevated homocysteine levels | Elevated homocysteine levels |
| Essential fatty acid (EFA) deficiencies | Essential fatty acid (EFA) deficiencies | Essential fatty acid (EFA) deficiencies |
| Fusiform gyrus abnormality found | Fusiform gyrus abnormality found | Fusiform gyrus abnormality found |
| Gender issues (4X more boys impacted). Note: Male brain is known to mature slower than female brain. | Gender issue more difficult to establish since women live longer. | Gender issues (male age of onset - 2 peak periods, 7-9 and 15 -25, female onset, 25-35). Note: Male brain is known to mature slower than female brain! |
| Glial cells implicated in disorder (glial cells act as "scaffolding" allowing neurons to grow and connect with other neurons) | Glial cells implicated in disorder | Glial cells implicated in disorder (Hans Moises et al. hypothesized that glial cells are weakened by viruses and that this may lead to schizophrenia) |
| Cerebellum abnormalities noted (very immature part of brain in young children, immature cells appear more "targeted" by mercury) | Cerebellum more spared - by this age, cerebellum had the time to mature - it takes up to 20 years for this part of the brain to reach maturity. Amyloid plaques found. | Cerebellum abnormalities noted |
| Impact on Purkinje and granular cells | Impact on Purkinje and granular cells | Impact on Purkinje and granular cells |
| Impact on T-cells/immune system | Impact on T-cells/immune system | Impact on T-cells/immune system |
| Impaired motion perception | Impaired motion perception | Impaired motion perception |
| Impaired spatial perception | Impaired spatial perception | Impaired spatial perception |
| Impaired visual/peripheral perception | Impaired visual/peripheral perception | Impaired visual/peripheral perception |
| Inability to control bladder/bowels | Inability to control bladder/bowels | STILL NEED TO INVESTIGATE |
| Iron overload consistently found | Iron overload consistently found (can lead to amyloid deposits) | STILL NEED TO INVESTIGATE |
| Issues with boron | Issues with boron | STILL NEED TO INVESTIGATE |
| Issues with insulin levels | Issues with insulin levels | Insulin therapy used since 1940s |
| STILL NEED TO INVESTIGATE | STILL NEED TO INVESTIGATE | Issues with glucose levels |
| STILL NEED TO INVESTIGATE | Carbohydrate deposits found in brain | Carbohydrate deposits found in brain |
| Limb apraxia | Limb apraxia | STILL NEED TO INVESTIGATE |
| Low glutathione levels | Low glutathione levels | Low glutathione levels |
| LOW lactoferrin levels | HIGH lactoferrin levels in spinal fluid | STILL NEED TO INVESTIGATE |
| Low magnesium levels | Low magnesium levels | Low magnesium levels |
| Low taurine levels are common | Low taurine levels are common | STILL NEED TO INVESTIGATE |
| Melatonin issues | Melatonin issues | Melatonin issues |
| Metallothionein (MT) protein dysfunction | Metallothionein (MT) protein dysfunction | STILL NEED TO INVESTIGATE |
| Mitochondrial dysfunction in brain | Mitochondrial dysfunction in brain | Mitochondrial dysfunction in brain |
| Nitric oxide production issues | Nitric oxide production issues | Nitric oxide production issues |
| Often develop epilepsy at puberty | Drugs used for epilepsy useful in treatment of disorder, seizures | Seizures are common |
| Over-responsive immune system | Over-responsive immune system | Over-responsive immune system |
| Possible APO-E genotype issue | Possible APO-E genotype issue | Possible APO-E genotype issue |
| Possible issues with "sniffing" and olfactory dysfunction | Possible issues with "sniffing" and olfactory dysfunction | Olfactory dysfunction |
| Problems with amygdala functioning | Problems with amygdala functioning | Problems with amygdala functioning |
| Problems with hippocampus functioning | Problems with hippocampus functioning (hippocampus devastated yet known to produce new cells into age 50, perhaps age 70 thus mercury may again be targeting immature cells) | Problems with hippocampus functioning |
| Problems with anterior cingulate | Problems with anterior cingulate | Problems with anterior cingulate |
| STILL NEED TO INVESTIGATE | STILL NEED TO INVESTIGATE | Thalamus issues found |
| Enlarged ventricles found in some | Enlarged ventricles in brain | Enlarged ventricles in brain |
| Reduced muscarinic receptor binding | Reduced muscarinic receptor binding | STILL NEED TO INVESTIGATE |
| Sight and sound sensitivity | Sight and sound sensitivity | Sight and sound sensitivity |
| Sensitivity to textures | STILL NEED TO INVESTIGATE | Sensitivity to textures |
| Unusual sweating | Unusual sweating | STILL NEED TO INVESTIGATE |
| Poor circulation | Poor circulation | |