Opioid peptides and gastrointestinal symptoms in autism spectrum disorders

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are characterized by deficits in the individual’s ability to socialize, communicate, and use the imagination, in addition to stereotyped behaviors. These disorders have a heterogenous phenotype, both in relation to symptoms and regarding severity. Organic problems related to the gastrointestinal tract are often associated with ASD, including dysbiosis, inflammatory bowel disease, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, celiac disease, indigestion, malabsorption, food intolerance, and food allergies, leading to vitamin deficiencies and malnutrition. In an attempt to explain the pathophysiology involved in autism, a theory founded on opioid excess has been the focus of various investigations, since it partially explains the symptomatology of the disorder. Another hypothesis has been put forward whereby the probable triggers of ASDs would be related to the presence of bacteria in the bowel, oxidative stress, and intestinal permeability. The present update reviews these hypotheses.

[Child abuse prevalence among addicts referred to the Rafsanjan addiction withdrawal center in 2005]

Child abuse and neglect of children referred to the physical, psychological, emotional or sexual abuse, these circumstances result in detrimental impacts on health, welfare and education of children. Based on these considerations, the present study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of child abuse among addicts referred to the Rafsanjan Addiction Withdrawal Center in 2005. In this cross sectional study, 648 addicts randomly selected. A questionnaire was completed for each particpant and the data were then analysed using X[2] test. The findings of this study showed that 81.9% of the participants were child abusers and 87.8% of them were 41-60 years old. The percentages of child abuse found in the participants with a history of parenteral drug-abuse, addiction in their families, divorce, physical harassment, and neglect during their childhood were 93.3%, 89%, 95%, 90.9% and 87.9% respectively. Slapping [17.86%] and deprivation of talking and attention [16.44%] were the most common type of physical child abuse and neglect. In 20.82% cases, the child abuse occurred at the withdrawal period of addiction. The most frequent feelings after child abuse for the child abusers were regret and sadness [36.87% and 35.25% respectively]. This study showed that there is a direct relationship between child abuse and addiction to opiates. Also there are other factors related to child abuse including level of education, economic situation, a history of addiction and divorce in the family of child abuse victims. Therefore, the necessity of an organized care system for children and addicted parents and regulating of supportive rules are obvious and of superme value