SleepWhile researching herbal extracts that could potentially be useful as a health supplement for autism, we came across an extract of the plant Agaratum conyzoides (chick weed, goatweed). Agaratum conyzoides contains certain chemicals that (in theory) could bind to the oxytocin receptor. Oxytocin is the neurotransmitter involved in social recognition, pair bonding, maternal behavior and…
SleepA while ago, I came across this paper by De Leersnyder, describing a genetic disorder called Smith-Magenis Syndrome. Smith-Magenis Syndrome (SMS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by a deletion of a portion of chromosome 17. The prevalence of SMS is 1 in 25,000 live births and are all new mutations, meaning nothing is inherited. Smith-Magenis…
Many parents with an autistic child are quite aware that children with autism may have lower levels of melatonin. Your child rummaging through the house in the middle of the night could be a sign that your child is not producing enough melatonin or producing it at the wrong time. Melatonin is an important hormone…