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Microbiota Transplant for Children with Autism

Imagine moving from a diagnosis of “severe” autism to no longer meeting the criteria for autism spectrum disorder (ASD).  The recently completed Microbiota Transplant Therapy (MTT) Phase 1 study indicates such results are possible and sustainable.  

At the beginning of the study, 83% of participants were classified as “severe” on an autism diagnosis scale. At a 2 year follow up, only 17% were still “severe”, and 44% no longer met the criteria for an autism diagnosis. Most participants had significant improvements in core autism symptoms and gastrointestinal problems. 

MTT holds great promise as a potential treatment for ASD. The next step towards FDA approval is a larger, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial for children with ASD. (We are also conducting a separate study for adults with ASD, and the fundraising for that study is complete).

We need your help to move this research forward. We need to raise $900,000 to start the study and treat 50 children with ASD.  An anonymous donor has pledged $100,000 in matching funds, so the first set of donations will be doubled!

Donations via GoFundMe are being sent to the Autism Nutrition Research Center (ANRC) because ASU cannot receive funds directly from GoFundMe.  ANRC is a 501©3 non-profit led by Prof. Adams which raises funds for autism research, and pledges that 100% of the funds received from GoFundMe will be sent to ASU to support this research.  
Alternatively donations may be given directly to the ASU Foundation via Pitchfunder, which is their version of GoFundMe.  See https://pitchfunder.asufoundation.org/project/15551

Please note that participating as a donor does not give you advance notice of recruitment or an opportunity to reserve a slot.  Anyone interested in participating in the study may register at:   https://autism.asu.edu/content/waitlist-child-mtt-study
When the study is fully funded we will announce the full application to everyone on the contact list, and will randomly select applicants from people who apply.

Thank you for your support!

Sincerely,

Prof. James B. Adams, PhD (autism researcher and autism dad)

Prof. Rosa Krajmalnik-Brown, PhD (microbiome expert)

Arizona State University
http://autism.asu.edu


Quotes from Participants in the first Child study:

“It has been amazing. He didn’t respond to his name when he was an infant, he wouldn’t put his arms up for you to pick him up. To remember that and to see where he is now – talking, making jokes, introducing himself to others – it is such significant change and growth, it makes me so hopeful.” Mother.

“I think it was really good. I don’t feel any pain in my stomach.” Son

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“I never expected that it would change my son’s life, our lives! Toileting issues which were severe are over, anger issues are a thing of the past and hearing Professor Adams tell me that my son no longer registered on the spectrum – beyond priceless!! A day I’d always hoped for, but never expected. …. (My son) was diagnosed with moderate Autism. This summer he was nominated for and invited to an intensive leadership workshop in engineering and technology. God bless everyone in the ASU Autism Research Department for finding our last piece to the puzzle!!!”

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“(my son) suffered chronic diarrhea and occasional constipation for approximately seven years, since infancy. He had never had a normal bowel movement in his life. He would withhold his stool if he was not home. At seven years old, he was still unable to poop on a toilet and used pull ups. His bowel movements caused substantial pain. He couldn't make it through an entire week at school and averaged missing two days a week. We planned and arranged our lives and schedules around his bowel movements.
It was a long process, but the results for our son and my family have been near miraculous. After a few days of drinking the microbiota liquid, (my son) began to smile and his overall disposition changed drastically. For the first time ever he woke up happy and smiling, which brought me to happy tears! His bowel movements began to look and smell "normal" and he began to try to use the toilet, unprompted.
His speech prior to the study was slow and drawn out. He liked to make videos of himself talking. A few weeks into the study, he was watching his own videos and asked me in a very typical voice "Mom, why did I talk like that?" I was flabbergasted. His speech had changed so much that I was blown away and so were his therapists. His receptive and expressive language improved dramatically!
Two years later, he continues to make steady progress. We are so eternally grateful to Prof. Adams, ARI/ASU and all of the people who helped in this study. We sincerely hope that some day all children with ASD and moderate to severe GI issues are able obtain a microbiota transfer to help them improve their lives as well. “
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Donations 

  • Joseph Osborne
    • $250 
    • 3 mos
  • Anonymous
    • $100 
    • 10 mos
  • Anonymous
    • $100 
    • 10 mos
  • PETRA PAUKOVA
    • $20 
    • 10 mos
  • Beverly M Hubbs
    • $100 
    • 10 mos
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Organizer

James Adams
Organizer
Tempe, AZ
Autism Nutrition Research Center
 
Registered nonprofit
Donations are typically 100% tax deductible in the US.

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