Autism Genes

11/08/2026

A new 2026 meta-analysis in Molecular Psychiatry, “Cytokine alterations in autism spectrum disorder”, has pulled together 98 studies involving more than 4,200 autistic people and found a clear predominance of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IFN-γ and TNF-α.
This is not new to us.
We have known since 2012 that inflammation, particularly involving the brain and gut, is a major piece of the autism puzzle. We sequence and look for the underlying reasons WHY these cytokines are overexpressing. We look for the drivers, and the very first step in our protocol is always to put out the fire.
It is encouraging to see the research continuing to catch up with what we have been measuring and addressing clinically for years.

Atypical peripheral blood cytokine concentrations have been shown in autism, but no clear pattern has been observed. This systematic review and meta-analysis summarised current state of findings, expanded the range of cytokines, accounted for study risk of bias, and examined relations between cytoki...

11/08/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19RizVVQXG/

President Trump just signed one of the most monumental vaccine related executive orders in American history.

Effective immediately, the childhood vaccine recommendations are being reduced to 11 diseases.

It spreads childhood shots across more visits instead of administering so many at once.

It directs the Attorney General to investigate cases where children are denied access to schools or other programs in violation of medical or religious protections.

And it protects parental choice by ensuring families who choose vaccines outside the new recommendations can still have them covered by insurance.

A historic executive order for medical freedom, parental rights, and informed choice.

17/07/2026

https://youtube.com/shorts/8TL9K4_GL4I?feature=share

Dr Heather talks with Autism Parenting secrets about Autism genomics

15/07/2026

15/07/2026

I hope this helps all the families with picky eaters. I have developed a science based way to gradually teach your autistic child how to eat and enjoy healthy foods. 😁 I'll be speaking at MAPS in Philidelphia in September all about this. Come along if you can. https://youtu.be/lMRDjxzNGz4?si=Y_O8XlR287el15jP

In this episode of Healing Tomorrow’s Future, Honey Rinicella welco...

05/07/2026

Dr. Alessio Fasano is an Italian-born pediatric gastroenterologist, researcher, and one of the world’s leading experts on celiac disease, gluten-related disorders, and the gut microbiome. He is a professor at Harvard Medical School and has spent decades studying how the intestinal barrier communicates with the immune system—and why that barrier sometimes becomes more permeable.

His most famous breakthrough was the discovery of zonulin, a protein that helps regulate the tight junctions between cells in the intestinal lining. This gave scientists a biological mechanism for studying increased intestinal permeability—often called “leaky gut.” His research also helped transform the understanding of celiac disease and advanced the idea that genetics, environmental triggers, and changes in the gut barrier can interact in the development of certain autoimmune diseases.

02/07/2026

How many times have you been told, "Just give them more fibre and more water," only to still have a constipated child?

That's because constipation, especially in ASD children isn't a fibre problem, it's a diversity issue.

A Stanford study compared a high-fibre diet with a diet rich in fermented foods. The fermented food group increased gut microbial diversity and reduced inflammation, while simply adding more fibre did neither.

We don't tell families to add fibre and hope for the best. The goal is to rebuild a healthier gut first, because once you've got a healthier microbiome, you've actually got something for the fibre to feed.

Fermented foods are the biggest needle movers for gut health. We like to introduce them slowly because they are so powerful.

Which fermented foods have you managed to get into your child's diet so far?

If you've already had your Gut appointment with us and haven't watched the Fermentation videos yet, please go back and have a look. They're full of practical, kid-friendly ideas to help you get started.

Gut-microbiota-targeted diets modulate human immune status. Cell. 2021 Jul 12; 184(16):4137–4153. e14.

02/07/2026

30/06/2026