This week’s roundup features research reinforcing the need for better universal surveillance for developmental delays and increased access to early intervention. This and more In The News.
Differences in mitochondrial function are a major factor in understanding the origins of autism spectrum disorders (ASD), according to a new study led by Douglas Wallace, PhD, director of the Center for Mitochondrial and Epigenomic Medicine at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, that points way back to genetic vulnerabilities accumulated during ancient human migrations.
New research suggests that the tiny structures inside our cells that generate energy, called mitochondria, may play a role in our mind-body interactions and how we respond to stressful environments.
Mitochondria are not only the power plants of our cells; these tiny structures also play a central role in our physiology. Furthermore, by enabling flexible physiological responses to new environments, mitochondria have helped humans and other mammals to adapt and evolve throughout the history of life on earth.
Recent work by a mitochondrial medicine pioneer from The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia details how subtle changes in mitochondrial function may cause a broad range of common metabolic and degenerative diseases.
What causes disease? Why do we get sick? Douglas Wallace's answer could spark a revolution in medical thinking. For thousands of years, practitioners of Eastern medicine have linked human health to the concept of energy, or "qi" - its presence, absence and flow through our bodies affecting everything from heart disease to mental clarity. Ironically, Douglas Wallace, PhD, one of CHOP's most internationally renowned experts in Western medicine, has spent his career proving that they just might be right.
