Nystagmus and Autism

[Sofie2]

I seem to remember there being some research done to see if there was a link between Nystagmus and Autism. Does anyone know the outcome of this research? or is it still ongoing?

This is something I'm interested in; as yet again, it has been suggested that I may have a mild form of it.

[John Sanders]

Hi Sofie,

Based on the patients they see, Professor Irene Gottlob's team in Leicester suspect that an above average proportion of people with autism have nystagmus.

John

[Sofie2]

Thanks John

[kirsten]

Hi Sophie,
I have not looked at the forum for some time, but remembered that I raised a query about a possible link between autism and nystagmus on the forum back in 2005. I have cut an extract from my earlier post (nystagmus, autistic spectrum disorders, and magnesium) and pasted it below. I remember reading of a possible link through research into the neurological context of autism spectrum disorders on the autism research unit (University of Sunderland) website, along with a range of other sensory integration problems which co-exist with autism at above average levels. It is a very interesting area of research and developing all the time.

Last year I started to gather information about possible links with other muscular problems as I, in common with many relatives on my mothers side of the family,get badly knotted muscles. A suggestion that magnesium deficiency or an inability for the body to absorb magnesium could be at the root of both nystagmus and the other problems came to light.
Recently I have found out that there are a significant number of (adult) family members on my mothers side of the family who fit the characteristics of high functioning autism or aspergers syndrome though none have been diagnosed. On reading about autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) I find that it can be linked to poor magnesium take up (they suggest baths with epsom salts) and that nystagmus, strabismus, and astigmatism are present in a high proportion of people with ASD being at the root of the sensory integration problems which are always present in some form in ASD. I myself have many characteristics of ASD though might be an 'autistic cousin' (someone whose sibling has ASD but does not have the full range of autistic characteristics themselves). I believe that my brother and my mother have/had ASD.
I would be really interested to know if anyone else has these linked problems or if any reseach has been carried out. I would be more than willing to volunteer if there is any research going on in these particular aspects of nystagmus.