Helminthic therapy and neurodevelopmental disorders

⚭Home>Effects of helminthic therapy>Helminthic therapy and neurodevelopmental disorders

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)

For more papers, see Helminthic therapy and autism

Also see

• 2026 Jan 6 The lifespan continuum of brain disorders: investigating links between neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disease-chicken or egg?
• 2025 Dec Maternal Obesity in Pregnancy: Risk Factor for Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Offspring -- Full text | PDF
• 2025 Nov 24 Maternal Immune Activation and Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Integrating Molecular, Cellular and Systems Mechanisms -- Full text | PDF
• 2025 Nov 20 The critical role of Th17 cells and IL-17A in autoimmune and inflammation-associated neurological diseases: mechanisms and therapeutic perspectives -- Full text | PDF
• 2025 Jun 23 Group 2 innate lymphoid cells drive inhibitory synapse formation with lasting effects on learning and memory -- Full text | PDF
• 2024 Nov Group 2 innate lymphoid cells promote inhibitory synapse development and social behavior -- Full text | PDF

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

See Helminthic therapy and neurological disorders

Tourette Syndrome

See Helminthic therapy and neuropsychiatric disorders: Tourette Syndrome

See also

• Helminthic therapy and neurological disorders

• Helminthic therapy and neuropsychiatric disorders

• Helminthic therapy and neurodegenerative diseases

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