Helminthic therapy and neurodevelopmental disorders

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Neurodevelopmental disorders are a group of mental conditions negatively affecting the development of the nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord. Key features of these conditions are:

• Start early in life (often noticeable in childhood)
• Affect how the brain develops and organizes itself
• Often involve learning, communication, attention or social functioning
• Tend to be lifelong, though symptoms can change over time

Common examples of neurodevelopmental disorder are: autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), intellectual disability, specific learning disorders (such as dyslexia) and developmental language disorder.

Scientific papers

• 2015 Jul 7 Got Worms? Perinatal Exposure to Helminths Prevents Persistent Immune Sensitization and Cognitive Dysfunction Induced by Early-Life Infection -- pdf (see also The “Old Friends” hypothesis: Reopening a can of worms)

Autism

See Helminthic therapy and autism

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD, ADD)

Personal story :

• “My adult son with ADD tried them (NA) and was able to cut his stimulants in half.” [1]

Neurofibromatosis type I

Neurofibromatosis type I (NF-1), or von Recklinghausen syndrome, is a neurodevelopmental disorder many individuals with which also experience neuropsychiatric manifestations.

• 2015 Apr Biome depletion in conjunction with evolutionary mismatches could play a role in the etiology of neurofibromatosis 1

The reintroduction to the digestive tract of a controlled number of specially domesticated, mutualistic helminths (intestinal worms) in the form of microscopic eggs or larvae to reconstitute a depleted biome to treat or prevent chronic inflammation, autoimmune disease and other immune-related disorders, including allergy.

Autism spectrum disorder.

the human hookworm, Necator americanus