SafeMinds On the Primate Study Manipulations

Primate Model of Effects of Vaccination on Autism-Like Behaviors and Neuropathology: A Review of the Data from Phases I & II
Sallie Bernard, Lyn Redwood, Laura Bono SafeMinds Board

Members and Co-Founders SAFEMINDS. October 19, 2015

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Since 2003, a team of investigators have been using a primate model to study biological and behavioral response to vaccine schedules and components in relation to autism. This effort was implemented in two sequential phases, Phase I and Phase II, each leading to several peer reviewed publications as well as conference abstracts and presentations. The conclusions from the most recent Phase II publications by Curtis et al and Gadad et al contradict those arising from Phase I. Conclusions of these Phase II papers also contradict those from earlier Phase II conference abstracts and materials as well as internal study reports. Phase I papers observed consistent significant differences in brain, behavior, learning and gastrointestinal outcomes similar to those found in autism, from vaccine exposed compared to controls. Early Phase II documents reported significant differences in brain anatomy of those exposed. Later Phase II papers and abstracts, however, concluded no effects from vaccinations. Phase II papers from Curtis and Gadad report differences on measures of learning and behavior but ultimately concluded that vaccine exposure “does not result in autism-like behavior or neuropathology”. While complex research can find contradictory results in an ongoing search for answers, we have identified potential problems with the findings and conclusions from Phase II Curtis and Gadad papers.

http://www.safeminds.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Review-of-Vaccine-autism-primate-research-vG.pdf