Naturopathic perspective on the assessment and treatment of Lyme-associated autism

Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, April, 2007 by Nicola McFadzean

With Borrelia infection layered on top of other yeast and bacterial infections, more aggressive herbal treatment must be initiated. Cat's Claw, Andrographis, Polygonum (Japanese Knotweed), allicillin (the extract from garlic), and Coptis can be used as anti-Borrelia treatments. Along with Borrelia, we often see co-infections of Babesia, Bartonella, and Erlichia. Each co-infection must be addressed for comprehensive treatment. Babesia, a parasite, can often be successfully treated with Artemesinin, an extract from Artemesia or wormwood. The other co-infections respond reasonably well to the anti-bacterial herbs used for the Borrelia species.

Lyme disease and autism share many of the underlying systemic imbalances that arise from infectious or toxic assault on the body. Many patients with either diagnosis show high levels of toxic metals such as lead and mercury. Elevated mold antibodies are common, as well as methylation defects that can be effectively balanced with methylcobalamin therapy administered nasally or intramuscularly. Along with the dysbiosis that is so common, food allergies, gluten intolerance, and dietary peptide reactions also adversely affect the gut. Dietary modifications are often necessary to remove stressors that can worsen symptoms and have behavioral ramifications.

A diagnosis of Lyme disease can be significant for an individual on the autistic spectrum. Even if antibiotics are not the treatment of choice, the infectious component must be addressed to optimize the total treatment regimen. Lyme disease may be one piece of an already complex puzzle. It is impossible to say at this time how significant of a piece it is--whether it may be a primary causative factor or simply another layer of infection in a body with an immune system already compromised by heavy viral, bacterial, fungal, and toxic loads. Regardless, families with dual-diagnoses are coming out of the woodwork. Mothers with fibromyalgia are testing positive for Lyme, as are their autistic-spectrum children, indicating placental transfer of the infection. Further treatment regimens must be developed to address the totality of causative factors, including Borrelia and its co-infections. This is a potentially groundbreaking area in the future biomedical treatment of autistic-spectrum disorders.

Notes

1. Changes in the Population of Persons with Autism and PDD, Dept Develop Services, California, Health and Human Services March 1 1999.

2. Shi L, Fatemi SH, Sidwell RW, Patterson PH. Maternal influenza infection causes marked behavioral and pharmacological changes in the offspring. Journal of Neuroscience. January 1, 2003; 23(1):297-302.

3. Libbey JE, Sweeten TL, McMahon WM, Fujinami RS. Autistic disorder and viral infections. J Neurovirol. 2005 Feb;11(1):1-10.

4. Singh VK, Lin SX, Yang VC. Serological association of measles virus and human herpesvirus-6 with brain autoantibodies in autism. Clin Immunol Immunopathol. 1998 Oct;89(1):105-8.

5. Teltow GJ, Fournier PV, Rawlings JA. Isolation of Borrelia burgdorferi from arthropods collected in Texas. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1991 May;44(5):469-74.