Since Thomas Bourgeron (Institut Pasteur) identified a genetic mutation linked to autism some twenty years ago, several hundred mutations have been suggested as contributing to this syndrome. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has since been classified as a genetically based syndrome, disregarding the major role of the environment. Yet despite repeated promises, and unless I am … Read more
After 4 decades of classical academic research, once retired, I have shifted to applied research in 2011 and I briefly review below the ads and complexity of this shift. “There is no applied research but applications of basic science” this famous statement of Pasteur is certainly valid but not that easy to achieve. It often … Read more
I am delighted to announce my election to the European Academy of Sciences. I was elected for my work on brain maturation, neurological and psychiatric disorders, the understanding of epilepsy, and, of course, alterations in GABA during maturation and in numerous diseases. This “shift” in GABA’s actions—which excites immature neurons due to high chloride levels … Read more
While there is still no approved drug treatment to reduce the main symptoms of autism, a study published in the journal Translational Psychiatry shows that artificial intelligence could be a game changer. By reanalyzing data from large clinical trials previously considered negative using machine learning algorithms, researchers show that, when certain clinical profiles are taken into account, … Read more
At the risk of repeating ourselves, we cannot stress enough how crazy our world has become and how it is heading for disaster, especially since the big slick guy took office in the Oval Office. Of course, the beauty of nature remains, but so does the thing that allows us to continue to believe in … Read more
Five French hospitals are joining the Pelargos project, led by B&A Biomedical, to revolutionize early screening for autism by analyzing data collected in maternity wards. This new step marks a decisive advance towards the large-scale validation of this artificial intelligence system. With Pelargos, France is on track to become the first country in the world … Read more
French biotech company B&A Oncomedical announces two major advances in the fight against brain tumors at the 25th annual “Biotech in Europe” Forum in Basel. These new approaches, which target both the tumor and its cerebral microenvironment, aim to slow tumor progression, restore neuronal balance, and prolong patient survival. This represents a real paradigm shift … Read more
Faced with the failure of current treatments for the most aggressive brain tumours, a team from Grenoble and Marseille in France has unveiled an innovative dual therapy combining two generic cancer drugs, mebendazole and bumetanide. The first kills cancer cells and the second blocks hyperactivity and metastasis. The combination has been patented by B&A-Oncomedical, a … Read more
The importance of central components activated in relation to stress and inflammation has long been known. This includes the amygdala complex, a major structure involved in emotional responses, which I have studied extensively from an electrophysiological and anatomical perspective. Almost all components of this complex are located in the temporal lobe, which has one of … Read more
There is currently no effective treatment for brain tumours, particularly glioblastomas (GBMs), which have a low life expectancy after chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Innovations, particularly in immunotherapy and CAR T cells, are beginning to show promising results in peripheral cancers, but they are very expensive, which is a problem even for rich countries, and are completely … Read more
One of the aims of both political and medical authorities is to diagnose neurodevelopmental syndromes such as autism as early as possible. Behavioural treatments are all the more effective if they start early, during the pivotal period of plasticity and learning in the first 2-3 years of life. In France, as in most other European … Read more
Despite considerable efforts and substantial investment, there are still no effective treatments for many neurological and psychiatric diseases, including autism and other developmental syndromes. There are 2 main reasons for this I) These syndromes are born in utero, which modifies the pathogenesis of the syndrome. As I have already explained, the triggering element will modify … Read more
Prof. Yehezkel Ben-Ari will participate in BIO Europe meeting in Stockholm early November to develop partnerships with Pharma’s & investors to treat autism and brain tumors.The Co-transporter NKCC1 that regulates GABAergic inhibition and cell volume is overactive in many brain disorders including autism, fragile X and Rett syndrome, brain trauma, epilepsies, brain traumas cerebro-vascular infarcts, … Read more
The starting point for this adventure is the well-established observation that Calcium requirements for breastfeeding generate a loss of bone formation, estimated at 10% in women and 30% in female rodents. Normally, nature is well done, estrogens compensate for this by slowing down bone resorption – remember that 3 types of bone cells contribute to … Read more
It will soon be 10 years that I have been offering this treatment for children with autism spectrum disorders with my friend Eric Lemonnier. Including our 2 successful inaugural phase 2 clinical trials, 7 other trials have been carried out around the world with, according to a meta-analysis, more than 1036 children successfully treated (Xiao … Read more
The discoveries follow complicated paths and appear a posteriori to be self-evident. We have been working for years on a co-transporter (NKCC1) which plays a major role in maintaining ionic balances in almost all cells. Bumetanide has shown promise in treating a number of brain diseases, including autism (see my blog ). I put forward … Read more
The case was clear: cancers are due to an unpredictable genetic mutation, in short, bad luck, the accumulation of mutations in the DNA leads to the disruption of certain key genes and the disordered cells begin to proliferate until form a cluster of abnormal cells: a tumor. Treatments are also focused on how to counteract … Read more
Dr Chedotal’s team (Paris Vision Institute) has already demonstrated its extraordinary abilities to study brain maturation with a tool that it masters and uses masterfully: the Light Sheet Microscope. Exploiting his proximity to hospitals and the links he has patiently developed over several years, Alain Chedotal was able to have access to human embryos (termination … Read more
To treat autism, I have often insisted on the importance of determining the electrical modifications, particularly the inaugural pathological event which occurs in utero. The concept of neuroarchaeology states that these initial events result in the persistence of neurons that remain immature – which do not mature and which disrupt brain functioning. We have thus … Read more
A priori, this is not a scoop, we are different on a biological level and certain organs are present in Madame not in Monsieur and vice versa. The same for certain hormones and reactions – for example more empathy in Madame in general than in Monsieur. And the brain? Numerous studies have suggested differences for … Read more
The message has been repeated for 5 decades, everything or almost everything has DNA as its origin! IQ, intelligence, faith, crime, homosexuality and of course the majority of illnesses, including neurological and psychiatric syndromes. 50 or 80% of the origin of autism is genetic, the same goes for schizophrenia and even Alzheimer’s disease. This message … Read more
Many disorders are born in utero including Autism and many neurodevelopmental disorders. to understand hos they are generated and whether and how brain structures are impacted already in utero, it is instrumental to develop quantitative atlases of brain structures. IN this aim, we used the recently developed transparization (I disco) technique that enable to dissolve … Read more
Our attempts to treat children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) with the NKCC1 chloride importer antagonist have met with some success with several hundreds of children treated successfully in several trial made in France, China, Sweden, Great Britain, Holland and Tunisia. Yet a large phase 3 (400 children in Europe, Brazil, Australia and US) failed. … Read more
GABA and glutamate undergo developmental changes in their organization, and for GABA even its polarity (from Excitation to Inhibition). There are experimental indications that they are also impacted by in-utero insults and by alterations in labor and birth. Animal and human studies also indicate that preterm birth is associated with an increased incidence of developmental disorders … Read more
Birth is a complex and intricate physiological process involving several mechanisms that allow a swift adaptation of the newborn to extrauterine life. Indeed, during birth the brain undergoes profound changes to cope with oxygen deprivation and the squeezing of the head. However, some or all of these mechanisms and changes do not take place if … Read more
In my invited commentary in Epilepsia we discuss the original research by Kaila, Löscher and colleagues (Johne et al. 2021) that illustrates the effects and lack of effects of Anti-Epileptic Drugs (AEDs) on asphyxia-induced neonatal seizures, and we suggest a possible scenario explaining why this happens. Using a new neonatal asphyxia model, the authors report … Read more
Basic science: In 1989 we discovered that adult and immature neurons have different electrical activity with notably much lower intracellular concentrations of chloride in the former than in the latter. High levels of chloride lead to a reduced brain inhibition and increased excitation, and are observed in immature neurons of all animal species and brain … Read more
With three new trials published this year, there are now 6 clinical trials performed by 5 different groups that support the efficacy of Bumetanide to treat Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) symptoms.They are summarized here below: In addition, 2 eye tracking and functional MRI trials confirm the Bumetanide-dependent amelioration of visual communication and brain imaging alterations that are in keeping with the suggested underlying … Read more
In this trial, the authors report that a 3 months open administration of the NKCC1 chloride importer antagonist Bumetanide (0.5-1mg, twice daily) attenuated Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) symptomatology in 11 out of 13 patients (8-21 years old). Bumetanide attenuated Irritable Behavior (ABC-I), Social interactions (SRS) and hyperactivity (ABC- hyperactivity subscale), increased the patients’ estimation of … Read more
Antibio-therapy and autism: hypothesis and intuition are not enough We are living in a period with countless propositions of therapeutical solutions, in particular to treat Autism, that resemble more « fake news » and scientific pollution than actual possible treatments. It is important to remember the principles of well-established protocols on drug discovery, and to help parents navigate the unofficial announcements of possible future treatments. A good hunch is not enough. A Nobel … Read more
Découvrez tous les sites de Yehezkel Ben-Ari/Discover all Yehezkel Ben-Ari websites
