Speedwell Trust Lecture - "Neurodevelopment Disorders"

Professor John Stein

On Wed 27 Jan 15.at Green Templeton College, Oxford.

On Wed 27 January, Professor John Stein MA MSc. BM BCh FRCP  Emeritus Professor of Physiology at Magdalen College, Oxford pr

 
Professor Stein gave an informative lecture on the role of magnocellular neurons and their role in relation to disorders such as ADHD, Dyslexia,  Autism and Migraines.

His  research focuses on how vision controls movement in animals, patients with movement disorders, dyslexic children and antisocial offenders.    He collaborates with neurosurgeon, Prof Tipu Aziz, on deep brain stimulation for movement disorders and pain, with Dr Sue Fowler on visual dyslexia, and with the Institute of Food, Brain & Behaviour on the influence of nutrition on behaviour.


The messages that came across was that:

·         all the above mentioned disorders have a common thread in that they relate to dis-function of the magnocellular neurons.

·         There is an overlap between the Conditions i.e. some people will suffer from Dyslexia/Dyspraxia, or Dyspraxia/ADHD  etc.

·         There is an increase in the numbers related to ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia – Partly due to the better diagnosis of these conditions, but partly by the change in diet of the population.

·         Other factors that are believed to influence the occurrence of such dis-orders are: Over Eating, Poor intake of Micronutrients and Lack of exercise and most important is the Environment.

·         The importance of Having the correct Omega 3 /Omega 6 ratio was emphasised.

·         If there is a an omega 3 defeciency then people can be highly sensitive to motion.

·         Omega 3 can be best achieved by consuming oily fish (e.g. Mackeral, herring, sardines etc.) Alternatively fish supplements.

·         Basically certain types of oils like rapeseed oil and vegetable oils were not personnaly recommended.

·         Certain disorders seem to benefit from wearing tinted glasses – either yellow or blue

·         Migraines – The professor had researched the benefits of wearing deep blue tinted glasses – for a few hours every morning  

·         The issue of magnocellular dis-function cost the USA around $400 billion dollars a year-a lot of which could be addressed comparatively simply by improved diet and exercise.

 

Fish is an important issue for both Professor Stein and his brother - celebrity chef  Rick Stein, who specialises in culinary  fish delights.

Fish is such an exciting ingredient and it does you so much good.  – itys just a shame from a health perspective that young people in particular now consumme so little fish (75% of all young people don’t eat fish at all.)

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