A new treatment for autism appears to normalize brain function, according to Nashville physician Fred S. Starr, MD, FAACAP, BCIA-EEG.
In addition to high serotonin levels, autistic children have a characteristically common "u" EEG pattern reflecting impaired brain function, particularly in areas of the brain responsible for social interaction, communication, speech and bonding.
However, Quantitative EEG's conducted by Dr. Starr on autistic children after three weeks on the medication Respen-A showed that the children's brain patterning changed to "normal" patterning. Starr says that behavioral improvement was also "evident". "Speech, interaction and social skills improved markedly in patients using Respen-A, and displays of frustration and anger markedly diminished," Starr said.
The theory behind the use of Respen-A was developed by private researcher Elaine DeLack, Stanwood, WA. Unlike theories that center on negative reaction to vaccinations, DeLack looked at exposure to a commonly used drug used during delivery, and at brain enzymes that affect the brain both at birth, and again as the child enters childhood.
READ MORE @ EARTHTIMES
Showing posts with label autism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label autism. Show all posts
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Monday, May 4, 2009
AAN: Atypical Antipsychotic Reduces Autism Irritability
Aripiprazole (Abilify) may be effective off-label for treating the irritability associated with autism, researchers here said.
The atypical antipsychotic fared significantly better than placebo on a parent-rated scale of irritability (P<0.05), Donald Lewis, M.D., of Sentara Norfolk General Hospital in Virginia, and colleagues reported at the American Academy of Neurology meeting.
It also had significant advantages over placebo with regard to clinician assessments of Aripiprazole and hyperactivity.
Only one atypical antipsychotic -- risperidone (Risperdal) -- is currently FDA approved for irritability associated with autism. However, treatment guidelines recommended that other atypical antipsychotics be considered for behavioral problems in autism.
Researchers involved in the current study could not comment on whether aripiprazole was in the process of FDA approval for this indication.
But Benjamin L. Handen, Ph.D., of the University of Pittsburgh, who was not involved in this study but is involved in similar trials, said FDA approval for the indication would give doctors an alternative for children who respond poorly to risperidone.
READ MORE @ MEDPAGE TODAY
The atypical antipsychotic fared significantly better than placebo on a parent-rated scale of irritability (P<0.05), Donald Lewis, M.D., of Sentara Norfolk General Hospital in Virginia, and colleagues reported at the American Academy of Neurology meeting.
It also had significant advantages over placebo with regard to clinician assessments of Aripiprazole and hyperactivity.
Only one atypical antipsychotic -- risperidone (Risperdal) -- is currently FDA approved for irritability associated with autism. However, treatment guidelines recommended that other atypical antipsychotics be considered for behavioral problems in autism.
Researchers involved in the current study could not comment on whether aripiprazole was in the process of FDA approval for this indication.
But Benjamin L. Handen, Ph.D., of the University of Pittsburgh, who was not involved in this study but is involved in similar trials, said FDA approval for the indication would give doctors an alternative for children who respond poorly to risperidone.
READ MORE @ MEDPAGE TODAY
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Researchers find common genetic variations in autistic people
Findings show that many autistic people have a deviation in a portion of their DNA that affects the way brain cells connect with one another. The discovery may lead to treatments.
Researchers have found that many people with autism share common genetic variations, a discovery that may improve diagnosis and offers the promise of developing treatments for the frustratingly mysterious disorder.
Their findings, published in the journal Nature, compared the genomes of thousands of autistic people with those of thousands of people without the disorder -- a massive task that new technology has only recently made possible. The genome is the complex system of DNA coding that builds and runs the human body.
The review showed that most autistic people examined have a genetic variation in a portion of their DNA that affects the way brain cells connect with one another. Scientists also reported a link between autism and small "mistakes" in another DNA segment involved with cell communication. Both reports add weight to the idea that autism is related to problems with the way brain cells connect.
READ MORE @ LOS ANGELES TIMES
Researchers have found that many people with autism share common genetic variations, a discovery that may improve diagnosis and offers the promise of developing treatments for the frustratingly mysterious disorder.
Their findings, published in the journal Nature, compared the genomes of thousands of autistic people with those of thousands of people without the disorder -- a massive task that new technology has only recently made possible. The genome is the complex system of DNA coding that builds and runs the human body.
The review showed that most autistic people examined have a genetic variation in a portion of their DNA that affects the way brain cells connect with one another. Scientists also reported a link between autism and small "mistakes" in another DNA segment involved with cell communication. Both reports add weight to the idea that autism is related to problems with the way brain cells connect.
READ MORE @ LOS ANGELES TIMES
Monday, December 24, 2007
Parents Defend School’s Use of Shock Therapy
Nearly a year ago, New York made plans to ban the use of electric shocks as a punishment for bad behavior, a therapy used at a Massachusetts school where New York State had long sent some of its most challenging special education students.
But state officials trying to limit New York’s association with the school, the Judge Rotenberg Educational Center in Canton, southwest of Boston, and its “aversive therapy” practices have found a large obstacle in their paths: parents of students who are given shocks.
“I understand people who don’t know about it think it is cruel,” said Susan Handon of Jamaica, Queens, whose 20-year-old daughter, Crystal, has been at Rotenberg for four years. “But she is not permanently scarred and she has really learned that certain behaviors, like running up and hitting people in the face, are not acceptable.”
Indeed, Rotenberg is full of children who will run up and hit strangers in the face, or worse. Many have severe types of dysfunction, including self-mutilation, head banging, eye gouging and biting, that can result from autism or mental retardation. Parents tend to be referred there by desperate education officials, after other institutions have decided they cannot keep the child.
READ MORE @ NY TIMES
But state officials trying to limit New York’s association with the school, the Judge Rotenberg Educational Center in Canton, southwest of Boston, and its “aversive therapy” practices have found a large obstacle in their paths: parents of students who are given shocks.
“I understand people who don’t know about it think it is cruel,” said Susan Handon of Jamaica, Queens, whose 20-year-old daughter, Crystal, has been at Rotenberg for four years. “But she is not permanently scarred and she has really learned that certain behaviors, like running up and hitting people in the face, are not acceptable.”
Indeed, Rotenberg is full of children who will run up and hit strangers in the face, or worse. Many have severe types of dysfunction, including self-mutilation, head banging, eye gouging and biting, that can result from autism or mental retardation. Parents tend to be referred there by desperate education officials, after other institutions have decided they cannot keep the child.
READ MORE @ NY TIMES
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