FGF2 is an injectable intramuscular bovine protein which stimulates the growth of new neural connections in the damaged areas of the brain.

It is presently available in Mexico and Japan, and Dr. Luis Carlos Aguilar of the Research Institute of Neuroplasticity and Cellular Development, in Guadelajara, Mexico, is the pioneer of its use in treating children with autism.

Treatment for the child can be administered at home by injecting around 1 ml of solution containing FGF2 intramuscularly with an insulin type syringe. Usually, treatment is every 10 to 14 days (depending on the patient) for 6 months at a time. Every 6 months the child is examined by Dr. Aguilar and the concentration and shot interval is adjusted. The entire treatment can last anywhere from 2 to 5 years, and the results depend on the age of the patient and the severity of the autism in the "spectrum". Best case... 100% cure of autism. For more information you can check Dr. Aguilar's web page at:

www.iinedec.org

Also, his e-mail address is:

iinedec@foreigner.class.udg.mx The first thing to do if considering FGF2 treatment for your child is to sign up in the FGF group at yahoo. It's free and you'll be able to communicate with over 100 parents of children with autism that are either in treatment or considering it. All mail goes to FGF@yahoogroups.com and from there gets sent to all of its members, so you'll be able to read all questions, doubts, and recommendations.

The next step would be to call Dr. Aguilar's office in Guadalajara at: 011-52-3-642-1004 or 011-52-3-641-1912

For those with limited spanish, try calling Phil Reynosa at (626) 458-2055 in the U.S. Although I have never spoken to him myself, I've read in the yahoo group that he is Dr. Aguilar's contact in the U.S., and that he can send you additional information on FGF2.

If you decide to make the appointment and take your child to Guadalajara for the treatment, you'll need to take along either a passport or birth certificate and photo I.D. for everybody going.

The clinic doesn't accept credit cards, so your best bet would be to take traveler's checks for the amount given to you when you make the appointment.

From the airport to a hotel near Dr. Aguilar's clinic is about a 30 minute cab ride. The airport taxis are very safe and charge around $120 pesos ($13 dollars) plus tip.

We stayed at the Fiesta Americana Hotel in Guadalajara. It's a very nice hotel, and only a 5-minute (and $3 dollar) taxi ride away. If you go to www.fiestarewards.com and sign up in their program, you'll get a much better rate plus points for every stay. I believe we payed around $140 dollars per night. Also, if your child's diet permits, there is a Burger King restaurant directly across the street.

As far as sightseeing goes, we didn't stay very much time the last time we went, but I'll be sure to post some information after our next trip in January 2002. You can check with travelocity or expedia on the web and probably get some good tips. The cost of the visit and treatment varies by patient, but is no more than $5,000 a year.

The visit consists of:

Preliminary psychological exam - 1 1/2 hours. Blood test to detect if FGF antibodies are present - Few minutes for sample. EEG to "map" the brain and see severity and location of damage - 1 hour. Interpretation of psychological exam by Dr. Patricia Rosique - 1 hour. Analysis and report of results from EEG by Dr. Aguilar - 1 hour.

It is a full day visit, and the vials of FGF2 are usually ready the following morning.

Treatment is not for everyone. If your child is not a good candidate, he/she will not be given the FGF2, and you will only be charged for the consultation.