Hi Jim, 
I agree that molecular mimicry is almost unquestionably at work in MS,
cerebellar ataxia, and is likely at work in many other neurological ailments
associated with gluten ingestion. I am not aware of any work connecting CNS
gliadin (or similar) antibody attacks on brain/neurological tissues in the
context of autism or ADD. If you know of some such research please let me
know. I absolutely agree that gluten is part of the pathogenic process in
most cases that fall on the spectrum that includes ADD, various learning
disabilities, and autism. (I also suspect a similar contribution from gluten
to bi-polar and schizophrenia.) However, I now suspect that the toxic
effluent from clostridium is the missing link. 

My understanding of sugar's contribution to ADD is: 
   
It seems that "dietary alterations in precursor availability can modify
neuronal activity" (Young, 1986).  The availability of tryptophan through
increased insulin production, in response to sugar ingestion, increases
uptake of competing large neutral amino acids  into muscle cells. This
increases the relative serum concentration of tryptophan, which is
resistant to insulin.  The relative increase in serum tryptophan, following
a rise in insulin,  leads to a competitive advantage to tryptophan,  for
transport across the BBB. Increased tryptophan has been asserted to lead to
increased levels of serotonin in the brain (Krassner, 1986; Fernstrom 1986;
Wurtman, 1986; Ziesel, 1986).   Increased tryptophan can also lead to
drowsiness, and induction of endorphin analgesia (Ziesel, 1986).  Poor
attentional performance would seem consistent with this scenario.
Although a bit of a digression, the importance of which will become
apparent shortly,  it has also been shown that "oral or intravenous
administration of gluten exorphins A5 and B5 can influence the regulation
of postprandial insulin  release"(Fukudome, Shimatsu, Suganuma Yoshikawa,
1995; Scott, Cloutier, Kleemann, Woerz-Pagenstert, Rowsell, Modler, Kolb,
1997; Scott, 1996).

from my master's thesis at: 
http://members.shaw.ca/oldsite/My_Master%27s_thesis.htm

I would be very interested in reading about any connections between sugar
and mucosal integrity so I would appreciate a citation or url to point me to
this resource when you find it. 

best wishes, 
Ron


-----Original Message-----
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Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2012 9:26 AM
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Subject: Re: Paleo gut flora

Thank you Ron.  Interesting.  We know that ADD is related to autism, are
degrees of the same disease.  Gluten peptides are very similar to the myelin
sheath of brain cells and, in a case of mistaken identity, the body confuses
the two and mounts an autoimmune attack on the brain, causing neurological
disorders such as autism.  To extend this, the other thing we know -- though
I've yet to take the time to find you the citation as promised -- that
ingesting sugar causes increased intercellular gaps in the gut allowing for
much more rapid uptake of these foreign protein fragments and therefore a
stronger dose than had sugar not been consumed.

Seems like toxins from foreign bacteria in the gut might be just one piece
of the picture.

Jim

On Jan 25, 2012, at 1:27 AM, Ron Hoggan wrote:

> Hi Jim, 
> I found the study. It was published in 2000.  The citation is: 
> Sandler RH, Finegold SM, Bolte ER, Buchanan CP, Maxwell AP, Väisänen ML,
Nelson MN, Wexler HM. Short-term benefit from oral vancomycin treatment of
regressive-onset autism.  J Child Neurol. 2000 Jul;15(7):429-35.
> and you can read the abstract at: 
>
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=short-term%20benefit%20from%20oral%2
0vancomycin%20treatment%20of%20regressive-onset%20autism
> 
> 80% of the 12 children in the trial showed rapid and significant
improvements following a course of Vancomycin. The particular strain of
clostridia produces a neurotoxin called proprionic acid. Unfortunately, it
is highly resistant to antibiotics and develops spores that will regenerate
after the removal of the antibiotic. Sure enough, when the Vancomycin was
discontinued, the clostridium returned and so did the symptoms of autism.
It is pretty compelling evidence that the many cases of autism are the
result of gut bacteria. It also suggests why a gluten free, dairy free diet
produces a remission in symptoms because the gut mucosa provides a much
better barrier with removal of these foods. I suspect that there is a
similar dynamic with other strains of gut bacteria in ADD and other brain
disorders. 
> 
> Best Wishes, 
> Ron
> _________ 
> 
> Interesting.  I am fairly well convinced that autism is caused by  
> gluten and is the extreme of a spectrum shared by ADD and other  
> disorders of the brain.  Can't see how gut flora might fit into that  
> picture.
> 
> Jim