Gary D Steinman

Title : The biochemical etiology of autism

Abstract:

As early as 1988, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF1) and truncated IGF1 were identified in bovine colostrum.  Subsequent studies, to be reviewed here, suggested links between autism arising in young children and deficient IGF1 in their biochemical constitution.  With prolonged maternal breast feeding as an IGF1 source for the neonate, the incidence of autism is reduced.  It was also reported that ingested vitamin D3 increases the circulating level of IGF1.

Many new mothers are unable to breastfeed their neonates exclusively for more than a few weeks after delivery.  Other obligations and activities often curtail a mother’s commitment to continue this for several months.  Medical studies support the conclusion that enhanced IGF1 ingestion to prevent autism should last 6-12 months.  A literature review here describes some synthetic methods that might soon lead to industrial preparation of supplementary IGF1 for addition to the baby’s feedings to substitute for maternal lactation.

Human breast milk is a positive promoter of this biosynthetic function and is encouraged for feeding the newborn for the first 6-12 months.  Means for manufacturing IGF1 which can be added to formulas or bovine milk are reviewed here as well.

Keywords: autism, colostrum, myelination, interleukin, inflammatory

Biography:

Dr. Steinman earned his B.S. in chemistry and his master's degree in biochemistry at Michigan State University.
Dr. Steinman began his professional career studying for his doctorate in biophysics at the University of California, Berkeley, under Nobel Prize winner Prof. Melvin Calvin.  After co-authoring the book, Biochemical Predestination, on the origin of life on Earth, Dr. Steinman responded to a call from NASA for applicants to the Scientist-Astronaut Program. Though he qualified for the program, he elected to pursue other interests, including the position of Managing Director of a science-based company in Israel. This was followed by a medical degree from the University of Miami and then an office- and hospital-based career in Obstetrics and Gynecology. He subsequently wrote Doctor-to-Doctor: Avoiding financial suicide, the forerunner to the present book.

The author is now Chairman of Biochemistry at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in New York and Assistant Clinical Professor at Albert Einstein School of Medicine. His research interest is twinning and he has appeared on National Geographic TV, among others, discussing this subject. He has lectured internationally and recently published the book, Womb Mates – A Modern Guide to Fertility and Twinning.