Healing Thresholds Autism Therapy Topic Feed

Levetiracetam for Managing Neurologic and Psychiatric Disorders

scottie — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 15:00:00 +0000

Title	Levetiracetam for Managing Neurologic and Psychiatric Disorders
Publication Type	Journal Article
Authors	Farooq MY, Bhatt A, Majid A, Gupta R, Khasnis A, Kassab MY
Journal Title	Am J Health-Syst Pharm
Year of Publication	2009
Volume	66
Issue	6
Pages	541-561
URL for Abstract	http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19265183
Teaser	While levetiracetam is a good drug to treat epilepsy, studies do not support its use in children with autism.
Full Text	While levetiracetam is a good drug to treat epilepsy, studies do not support its use in children with autism. This review article describes the use of the drug levetiracetam to treat autism and other problems with the brain. There are a few studies that look at whether or not levetiracem is safe and helpful for children with autism. One study showed that the drug did not help with behavior problems in children with autism. Leviracetam can cause a wide spectrum of behavioral adverse effects. Leviracetum has been shown to cause psychosis when given to some children with epilepsy.

Ketogenic Diets: An Update for Child Neurologists

scottie — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 15:00:00 +0000

Title	Ketogenic Diets: An Update for Child Neurologists
Publication Type	Journal Article
Authors	Kossoff EH, Zupec-Kania BA, Rho JM
Journal Title	Journal of Child Neurology
Year of Publication	2009
Volume	24
Issue	8
Pages	979-988
URL for Abstract	http://jcn.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/0883073809337162v1
Teaser	A ketogenic diet that cuts down on carbohydrates may be helpful for children with autism and may help reduce seizures.
Full Text	A ketogenic diet that cuts down on carbohydrates may be helpful for children with autism and may help reduce seizures. With a ketogenic diet, most of the daily nutrition comes from eating fat and protein. The Atkins diet is a type of ketogenic diet. Ketogenic diets have been reported to be helpful for children with epilepsy. While on the diet, some children have fewer seizures. Some children with autism also have seizures, so the diet may be helpful for children with autism as well. Neurologists are exploring whether a ketogenic diet may also be helpful for other autism symptoms. However, there were no published studies reported in the article about this diet and autism. There have been side-effects reported, and some can be long-lasting. Side effects include slower growth, digestive system problems, kidney stones, bone fractures, and other problems.

The Role of Epilepsy and Epileptiform EEGs in Autism Spectrum Disorders

scottie — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 17:39:54 +0000

Title	The Role of Epilepsy and Epileptiform EEGs in Autism Spectrum Disorders
Publication Type	Journal Article
Authors	Spence SJ, Schneider MT
Journal Title	Pediatric Research
Year of Publication	2009
Volume	65
Issue	6
Pages	599-606
URL for Abstract	http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19454962?ordinalpos=98&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DefaultReportPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum
Full Text	Some people with autism may also have epilepsy (seizures), and anti-epilepsy therapy treatments may be helpful. People with autism may be more likely to have epilepsy than people who do not have autism. Epilepsy may be more common in people with autism who also have low I.Q., fragile X syndrome, or 15q duplication syndrome. The first seizures often occur either between 18-24 months of age, or during adolescence. People with autism may also be more likely to have abnormal EEG patterns called epileptiform EEGs. Brain researchers think that these abnormal patterns are a symptom of brain function problems. But these people do not have seizures or epilepsy. People with epilepsy often use drug therapy to control their seizures. Some children may show improvements in communication or behavior with drug therapy, but treatment usually does not change the autism symptoms very much. Treating people who have epileptiform EEGs is still controversial because there is little evidence that such treatments improve symptoms of autism.

Improvement in Motor and Exploratory Behavior in Rett Syndrome Mice with Restricted Ketogenic and Standard Diets

scottie — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 16:34:24 +0000

Title	Improvement in Motor and Exploratory Behavior in Rett Syndrome Mice with Restricted Ketogenic and Standard Diets
Publication Type	Journal Article
Authors	Mantis JG, Fritz CL, Marsh J, Heinrichs SC, Seyfried TN
Journal Title	Epilepsy Behavior
Year of Publication	2009
Volume	15
Issue	2
Pages	133-141
URL for Abstract	http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19249385?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DefaultReportPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum
Full Text	Reduced calorie diets may improve behaviors in mice with symptoms like Rett syndrome. These authors did a research study with mice that have a genetic condition that is like Rett syndrome in humans. The authors compared three diets fed to adult mice: 1) a low calorie ketogenic (high fat, low carbohydrate) diet; 2) a low calorie normal diet (normal amounts of fat and carbohydrates); and 3) a normal diet. Mice fed a low calorie diet (either ketogenic or normal) showed better behavior. The mice were more curious, explored more, and had better balance and motor skills. They also showed less anxiety than the normal diet mice. Other studies reported that a low calorie ketogenic diet led to improved behaviors in mice and in some girls with Rett syndrome. Those studies did not test a low calorie normal diet. Therefore, the authors of this article think that low calories may be more important for improved behaviors than the ketogenic diet. The authors said parents should be careful about starting a reduced calorie diet for girls with Rett syndrome. Girls with Rett syndrome tend to be smaller than normal girls and may have special dietary needs. They suggest that parents check with their child's doctor before trying any diet changes.

Sleep Disturbances and Autism

scottie — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 20:40:54 +0000

Title	Sleep Disturbances and Autism
Publication Type	Journal Article
Authors	Malow BA, McGrew SG
Journal Title	Sleep Medicine Clinics
Year of Publication	2008
Volume	3
Issue	3
Pages	479-488
URL for Abstract	http://www.sleep.theclinics.com/article/S1556-407X(08)00033-7/abstract
Full Text	Melatonin and other therapies may help people with autism who have trouble sleeping. People with autism may have sleeping problems, such as trouble going to sleep, trouble staying asleep, and night terrors. Sleep problems can occur because of medical problems (like epilepsy), psychiatric conditions (like anxiety), medications, behavioral habits, and sensory issues. Behavioral therapy is usually the first therapy that is tried to improve sleep habits. Parents are often included in a behavioral therapy plan. When behavioral therapy doesn't work, drug therapy may help. Some doctors suggest melatonin, which has few side effects. One large study showed that melatonin helped 85% of children with autism with sleep problems. Other therapy options include anti-epilepsy medications, antidepressants, light therapy, and tonsil removal. Improving sleep can improve the quality of life and the behavior of people with autism.

The Ketogenic Diet: Uses in Epilepsy and Other Neurologic Illnesses

scottie — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 13:02:46 +0000

Title	The Ketogenic Diet: Uses in Epilepsy and Other Neurologic Illnesses
Publication Type	Journal Article
Authors	Baranano KW, Hartman AL
Journal Title	Current Treatment Options in Neurology
Year of Publication	2008
Volume	10
Issue	6
Pages	410-419
URL for Abstract	http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18990309?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DefaultReportPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum
Full Text	A high fat, low carbohydrate diet may improve behavior, especially in children with severe autism. This review article describes the role of the high fat, low carbohydrate (ketogenic) diet as a treatment for many brain problems such as epilepsy, Alzheimer disease, and autism. There has been only one study on the use of the ketogenic diet as a treatment for children with autism. The children were in the study for 6 months, during which they had 4 weeks on the diet followed by two weeks off diet, followed by 4 weeks on diet, etc. The 18 children in the study lived on the island of Crete. Behavior was rated by a psychiatrist using a test known as the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS).

A Review of Recent Reports on Autism: 1000 Studies Published in 2007

scottie — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 16:22:50 +0000

Title	A Review of Recent Reports on Autism: 1000 Studies Published in 2007
Publication Type	Journal Article
Authors	Hughes JR
Journal Title	Epilepsy & Behavior
Year of Publication	2008
Volume	13
Issue	3
Pages	425-437
URL for Abstract	http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18627794?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DefaultReportPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum
Full Text	Children with autism have medical and therapy costs that are $4,110-6,200 more than children without autism. This article reviews the autism research studies that were published in 2007. The most common drug therapy is risperidone, which may lessen irritability, repetition, and social withdrawal. Other drugs used as autism therapy include atypical antipsychotics, antibiotics, and memantine. One study found that acupuncture helped over half of the children with autism who received treatment. The article also reviewed massage therapy, robots, electroconvulsive therapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), and music therapy.

Behavioral Intervention to Increase Compliance with Electroencephalographic Procedures in Children with Developmental Disabilities

scottie — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 17:05:35 +0000

Title	Behavioral Intervention to Increase Compliance with Electroencephalographic Procedures in Children with Developmental Disabilities
Publication Type	Journal Article
Authors	Slifer KJ, Avis KT, Frutchey RA
Journal Title	Epilepsy & Behavior
Year of Publication	2008
Volume	13
Issue	1
Pages	189-195
URL for Abstract	http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18348911?ordinalpos=4&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum
Full Text	Applied behavior analysis (ABA) may help children with autism be more peaceful during an electroencephalogram (EEG). A child with epilepsy will often require many EEG tests over his lifetime. This study was designed to if behavioral therapy could be used to help children with disabilities be more peaceful during an EEG. The authors found that ABA therapy was helpful in getting children with autism to comply with an EEG. This meant that the children could get a good EEG reading without stress or restraint or drugs. The authors note that an EEG technologist who is trained in the basics of ABA may be able to apply the techniques to the EEG process.

Acquired Variant of Rett’s Disorder and Response to Lamotrigine

scottie — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 14:38:15 +0000

Title	Acquired Variant of Rett’s Disorder and Response to Lamotrigine
Publication Type	Journal Article
Authors	Mendhekar DN, Duggal HS
Journal Title	J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci
Year of Publication	2007
Volume	19
Issue	4
Pages	474-475
URL for Abstract	http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18070858?ordinalpos=2&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum
Full Text	Lamotrigine may help with some of the mood, behavior, and social problems that can be symptoms of autism. Although Rett's Disorder is normally a genetic syndrome, this letter describes a 5-year-old girl who acquired the symptoms of Rett Syndrome after an infection. After the brain fever (encephalitis), the girl acquired many of the symptoms of autism, but she did not have seizures. The doctors gave her lamotrigine and found that she had less hand flapping and other autistic behaviors. While the lamotrigine is normally given to help with seizures, other studies have shown that it can help with social behavior, temper tantrums, and emotional problems. For these reasons, lamotrigine is sometimes prescribed to people with autism or people with epilepsy who have symptoms of autism.

Lack of Effects of Vagus Nerve Stimulation on Drug-Resistant Epilepsy in Eight Pediatric Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Prospective 2-year Follow-up Study

scottie — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 22:15:30 +0000

Title	Lack of Effects of Vagus Nerve Stimulation on Drug-Resistant Epilepsy in Eight Pediatric Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Prospective 2-year Follow-up Study
Publication Type	Journal Article
Authors	Danielsson S, Viggedal G, Gillberg C, Olsson I
Journal Title	Epilepsy & Behavior
Year of Publication	2008
Volume	12
Issue	2
Pages	298-304
URL for Abstract	http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18053767?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum
Full Text	Vagus nerve stimulation does not seem to help with autism or epilepsy in children who have both autism and epilepsy. Between 7 and 42% of people with autism also have epilepsy. Vagus nerve stimulation is sometimes used for people with severe epilepsy who do not respond to drug therapy and who cannot receive epilepsy surgery. Many children with this type of severe epilepsy also have other problems such as autism. This study was designed to see if vagus nerve stimulation is able to help the symptoms of autism in children with autism and epilepsy. The study had only eight children and none of the children had a decreased number of seizures after two years of vagus nerve stimulation.