Chelation Study Called Off
Back in July, a study on chelation as a treatment for autistic children was put on hold due to safety concerns. Now the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has called off the study, as reported in today’s Associated Press.
The statement says the agency decided the money would be better used testing other potential therapies for autism and related disorders.
The study had been on hold because of safety concerns . A study published last year linked a chemical used in the treatment to lasting brain problems in rats.
Chelation is based on the unproven notion that mercury in vaccines can be linked to autism.
It’s also noted that a study on chelation—–in which heavy metal are removed from the body—-would be tantamount to an “unethical experiment on children.”
As Left Brain/Right Brain notes, “there is no reason to chelate autistic children.”
No reason.
Tags: asd, asperger, autism, autism blog, chelation, detox, disabilities blog, disability, Health, heavy metals, immunization, measles, mercury, mmr, Parenting, pdd-nos, Science, shots, Vaccines
9 opinions for Chelation Study Called Off
jonathan
Sep 17, 2008 at 11:41 pm
well glad I agree with Kristina Chew and LB/RB on something for a change.
However, I don’t think this will be the end of it. There will be more lobbies to do this sort of thing and also multiple other studies of whether or not vaccines cause autism. This will never end until legitimate etiologies and treatments are found for autism unfortunately. There will probably be nothing that will convince those who believe vaccines and mercury cause autism no matter what evidence is presented and they will cling to the belief this caused their children’s autism until they are in their graves.
Kristina Chew, PhD
Sep 18, 2008 at 12:51 am
Agree with you on both points—-
laurentius-rex
Sep 18, 2008 at 3:05 am
Shame on you Jonathon, cos you will be agreeing with me too :)
There are some experiments which simply should not be done.
As for the search for Autism causes, it is like the search for the Higgs Boson, the deeper they research the more complex the additional questions become
Robin H. Morris
Sep 18, 2008 at 10:46 am
Hi Kristina,
I am curious as to how Charlie’s behaviors are, in the absence of the gluten free diet. How much of a difference did it make for your son.
My interest has always circulated around our own mini experiment years ago when our son acquired an unexplained parasite, and we used the gluten, dairy free diet to rule out allergy. The denial of his beloved foods was an experiment in and of itself, as following that time he began to speak. We reintroduced foods slowly, and never ventured the diet again. He does love his carbs, but following puberty, his behaviors relaxed.
I’ll probably never know what difference it would have made if we had continued with the gluten free.
Regan
Sep 18, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Orac left an excellent comment at LB/RB on why this study deserved to be cancelled, and why the initial reason for proposal was not so hot either.
Kristina Chew, PhD
Sep 18, 2008 at 5:13 pm
think I will quote him on the “cult of antivaccinationism”——-
air purifiers
Sep 19, 2008 at 12:43 am
Chelation using EDTA from what I’ve read does seem to be too harsh because it does strip the muscles of too many minerals, like potassium, which can cause cramps or in the case of the heart muscle, heart murmurs. But what about Celantro and chlorella to naturally rid the body of heavy metals?
I’ve seen first hand how this combo can help a child who 1) developed autism after a series of shots (trace amounts of mercury x’s 2-5 = too much when you factor in the mercury coming from the environment as well ..fish, air, etc) 2) the heavy metal detox is performed along with supplementation of minerals as well as probiotics to help with good digestion and eliminations of the toxins that are put into motion by the detox protocol. My best friends child’s doctor is now saying he was incorrectly diagnosed as “autistic” because he’s made such a drastic recovery, but we attribute that to the fact his brain damage wasn’t as severe as others perhaps and also we made aggressive changes in his diet and tried all of the alt health techniques that according to parents of autistic children show the most promise (go here http://tinyurl.com/4w9zrn for a list and note how they compare to “big pharma’s” remedies. No comparison! Fire your doctor)
We live in a toxic world (www.bodyburden.org) and all of us can and do benefit from expelling toxins from our bodies. We think clearer, are less irritable, and happier when we are toxin free. Children are no different. Why, based on our current polluted environment this is a radical approach is beyond me. To say “let’s live full of toxins and chemicals, bring on the artificial flavors, the chlorinated water and pools, and the radiation from our wireless world, who cares, we can take it, we’re Americans!” …now that’s crazy in my book! Don’t you all agree?
Kristina Chew, PhD
Sep 20, 2008 at 1:10 pm
But the fact remains that using chelation on autistic children is based on a hypothesis (not eve a theory) about what causes autism. From the first time we heard and read about chelation, it seemed pretty extreme and simply not necessary.
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