Healing Thresholds Autism Therapy Topic Feed

Effective Methylphenidate Treatment of an Adult Aspergers Syndrome and a Comorbid ADHD: A Clinical Investigation with fMRI

scottie — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 15:00:00 +0000

Title	Effective Methylphenidate Treatment of an Adult Aspergers Syndrome and a Comorbid ADHD: A Clinical Investigation with fMRI
Publication Type	Journal Article
Authors	Roy M, Dillo W, Bessling S, Emrich HE, Ohlmeier MD
Journal Title	Journal of Attention Disorders
Year of Publication	2009
Volume	12
Issue	4
Pages	381-385
URL for Abstract	http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19095892
Teaser	Methylphenidate may help adults who are diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Asperger syndrome.
Full Text	Methylphenidate may help adults who are diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Asperger syndrome. This case study presents an adult patient with ADHD and Aspergers syndrome. The 26-year old man had had problems since childhood with making and keeping social contacts. The authors note that when an adult has both ADHD and Aspergers syndrome the case may be complex and hard to diagnose. This is because both ADHD and Aspergers syndrome may result in poor social skills and lack of attention. In the case of this patient, treatment with methylphenidate improved his ability to function and reduced his ADHD symptoms.

Enhanced Independence and Quality of Life Through Treatment with Flotation-Restricted Environmental Stimulation Technique of a Patient with Both Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Asperger Syndrome: A Case Report

scottie — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 16:02:46 +0000

Title	Enhanced Independence and Quality of Life Through Treatment with Flotation-Restricted Environmental Stimulation Technique of a Patient with Both Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Asperger Syndrome: A Case Report
Publication Type	Journal Article
Authors	Edebol H, Kjellgren A, Bood S-A, Norlander T
Journal Title	Cases Journal
Year of Publication	2009
Volume	2
Pages	1-4
URL for Abstract	http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19829887
Teaser	Flotation tanks may be a useful tool for calming the nervous system and helping with sensory integration in adults with Asperger syndrome and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Full Text	Flotation tanks may be a useful tool for calming the nervous system and helping with sensory integration in adults with Asperger syndrome and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This case study describes an adult with Asperger syndrome and ADHD who was treated with flotation-Restricted Environmental Stimulation Technique (flotation-REST). The 36-year old woman from Sweden also had depression. She was given 19 sessions over a year and at the end felt that she was better able to live life on her own. With time she learned to control how alert she was (arousal control). She also learned to control how active she was (activity regulation). Her senses relaxed and she became better at sensory integration.

A Placebo-Controlled, Fixed-Dose Study of Aripiprazole in Children and Adolescents with Irritability Associated with Autistic Disorder

scottie — Thu, 13 May 2010 15:12:01 +0000

Title	A Placebo-Controlled, Fixed-Dose Study of Aripiprazole in Children and Adolescents with Irritability Associated with Autistic Disorder
Publication Type	Journal Article
Authors	Marcus RN, Owen R, Kamen L, Manos G, McQuade RD, Carson WH, Aman MG
Journal Title	J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry
Year of Publication	2009
Volume	48
Issue	11
Pages	1110-1119
URL for Abstract	http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19797985
Teaser	Aripiprazole may help to treat irritability in children with autism.
Full Text	Aripiprazole may help to treat irritability in children with autism. This double-blind, placebo-controlled study compared the atypical antipsychotic aripiprazole with placebo in terms of being able to reduce irritability in children (aged 6 to 17 years) with autism. This eight week study found that aripiprazole was able to reduce irritability in children with autism. Children who received aripiprazole also had decreased hyperactivity. There was a high placebo response rate of 35% on this study. The authors also note that this was a fixed-dose study and therefore doctors were not able to change the dose of the drug based upon the patient’s response to the drug.

Chronic Omega-3 Supplementation in Seizure-prone Versus Seizure-resistant Rat Strains: A Cautionary Tale

scottie — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 17:36:19 +0000

Title	Chronic Omega-3 Supplementation in Seizure-prone Versus Seizure-resistant Rat Strains: A Cautionary Tale
Publication Type	Journal Article
Authors	Gilby KL, Jans J, McIntyre DC
Journal Title	Neuroscience
Year of Publication	2009
Volume	163
Issue	3
Pages	750-758
URL for Abstract	http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19596053
Teaser	Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation reduced impulsive behaviors in one strain of rats, and increased seizures in another strain of rats.
Full Text	Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation reduced impulsive behaviors in one strain of rats, and increased seizures in another strain of rats; some of these behaviors may be found in children with autism or 3 years of age) has been designated childhood disintegration disorder. The term “autism” is usually used to describe disorders included on the autism spectrum.">autism spectrum disorders (3 years of age) has been designated childhood disintegration disorder. The term “autism” is usually used to describe disorders included on the autism spectrum.">ASD). Rat strains are rats that are bred to each other so that they all have the same genes. Omega-3 fatty acid supplements were given to two rat strains in this study. One rat strain (Fast rats) has hyperactivity, learning problems, impulsive behaviors, and increased chance of seizures. Another strain (Slow rats) has few seizures and does not have the behavioral problems that the Fast rats have. The Fast rats had less impulsive behaviors when they had omega-3 therapy, but they have the same seizure sensitivity. The Slow rats’ behavior didn’t change, but they had more seizures when they had omega-3 therapy. The authors said that omega-3 therapy may have different effects in different people, and urged caution when using the therapy.

The Pharmacologic Treatment of Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity in Autism

scottie — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 18:20:41 +0000

Title	The Pharmacologic Treatment of Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity in Autism
Publication Type	Journal Article
Authors	Kolevzon A
Journal Title	Primary Psychiatry
Year of Publication	2009
Volume	16
Issue	1
Pages	55-60
URL for Abstract	http://www.primarypsychiatry.com/aspx/articledetail.aspx?articleid=1955
Teaser	Some medications may improve attention spans and decrease hyperactivity in people with autism.
Full Text	Some medications may improve attention spans and decrease hyperactivity in people with autism. The author describes clinical trials of drug therapies in autism. Methylphenidate and atomoxetine are both used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). These drugs may also help treat ADHD-like symptoms in people with autism. In autism, methylphenidate may work better for hyperactivity, and atomoxetine may work better for attention deficits. Other drug therapies may be helpful for ADHD-like symptoms in autism. Haloperidol, risperidone, clonidine, guanfacine, amntadine, and naltrexone have been researched. All of these drugs have shown improved behaviors in at least one study. However, other studies showed little or no effect of these drugs in autism.

Is Your Child with Autism Getting Enough "Brain Food"?

scottie — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:39:55 +0000

Teaser:

Dr. Kate Rheaume-Bleau, a doctor of naturopathic medicine in Canada, has written about the importance of "brain food" for all children, and most recently those with autism and other learning

Body:

Dr. Kate Rheaume-Bleau, a doctor of naturopathic medicine in Canada, has written about the importance of "brain food" for all children, and most recently those with autism and other learning disorders. She calls the brain the "hungriest organ" in the body and stresses that breakfast along with essential fatty acids, like omega-3, are important for learning and concentration. She is finding that kids who do not get enough protein and iron in their foods may have problems with distraction and hyperactivity (ADHD). Dr. Rheaume-Bleau thinks that the most important supplements are found in the foods we eat, but that sometimes, vitamin supplements may be necessary.

Original Article:

original article

Open-Label Use of Placebos in the Treatment of ADHD: A Pilot Study

scottie — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 15:35:44 +0000

Title	Open-Label Use of Placebos in the Treatment of ADHD: A Pilot Study
Publication Type	Journal Article
Authors	Sandler AD, Blodfish JW
Journal Title	Child Care Health Dev.
Year of Publication	2008
Volume	34
Issue	1
Pages	104-110
URL for Abstract	http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18171451
Teaser	A placebo effect may allow doctors to lower the prescribed doses of drug therapy for behavioral disorders like ADHD and autism.
Full Text	A placebo effect may allow doctors to lower the prescribed doses of drug therapy for behavioral disorders like ADHD and autism. This pilot study looked at whether children who knowingly took placebo together with their regular drug therapy could lower their drug dose. In the study, there were 26 children (7-15 years old) with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The researchers wanted to find out if children could use lower drug therapy doses with this treatment. They told the parents and the children that they were taking placebo with their medications. The children were taking "stimulant drugs" (not named in the article) for their ADHD. When the drug dose was cut in half and placebo added, behaviors remained the same for 8 out of 26 patients. In other words, the children behaved as if they were taking a full dose of drug. The authors think that this placebo effect might be helpful for lowering doses of medication for children.

Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of Amantadine Hydrochloride in the Treatment of Children with Autistic Disorder

scottie — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 17:13:05 +0000

Title	Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of Amantadine Hydrochloride in the Treatment of Children with Autistic Disorder
Publication Type	Journal Article
Authors	King BH, Wright DM, Handen BL, Sickich L
Journal Title	Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Year of Publication	2001
Volume	40
Issue	6
Pages	658-664
URL for Abstract	http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11392343?ordinalpos=63&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DefaultReportPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum
Teaser	Amantadine may improve behaviors in some children with autism.
Full Text	Amantadine may improve behaviors in some children with autism. This article reported results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of amantadine (drug that acts on the brain). There were 39 children (5-19 years old) in the study. Children received either amantadine (2.5 mg/kg for one week, and then 5.0 mg/kg for 3 weeks) or placebo (sugar pill). The researchers measured the children's behaviors using one standard test and the parents measured behaviors using a different standard test. The researchers found that treatment with amantadine decreased hyperactivity and inappropriate speech. The parents in both the placebo group and the amantadine group found improvements in behaviors. It was about the same degree of improvements in both groups. In other words, there was a noticeable "placebo effect" because parents reported improvements for 37% of children on placebo. In comparison, parents reported improvements for 47% of the children taking amantadine. The difference between the two groups with parent-measured tests was not large enough to be important. The authors talked about placebo effects reported in other studies of drug therapy for autism.

Autism

scottie — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 18:28:49 +0000

Title	Autism
Publication Type	Journal Article
Authors	Parr J
Journal Title	British Medical Journal Clinical Evidence
Year of Publication	2007
Volume	12
Pages	322-339
URL for Abstract	http://clinicalevidence.bmj.com/ceweb/conditions/chd/0322/0322_contribdetails.jsp
Teaser	There are many therapy options for people with autism, and some of them are supported by scientific evidence indicating that they may be likely to help.
Full Text	There are many therapy options for people with autism, and some of them are supported by scientific evidence indicating that they may be likely to help. This review article summarizes published scientific studies of how well different autism therapies might work. The article lists 29 therapy options in four categories. There are "early multidisciplinary interventions" that include applied behavioral analysis (ABA) and social stories. The other categories are dietary interventions, drug therapy, and non-drug treatments like auditory integration training and chelation therapy. The therapies listed as "likely to be beneficial"include: ABA, Autism Pre-school Programme, Child's Talk, More than Words, Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), and methylphenidate for hyperactivity. Other therapies are listed as "unknown effectiveness" or "trade off between benefits and harms."

Lack of Efficacy of Citalopram in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and High Levels of Repetitive Behavior

scottie — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 14:12:38 +0000

Title	Lack of Efficacy of Citalopram in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and High Levels of Repetitive Behavior
Publication Type	Journal Article
Authors	King BH, Hollander E, Sikich L, McCracken JT, Scahill L, Bregman JD, Donnelly CL, Anagnostou E, Dukes K, Sullivan L, Hirtz D, Wagner A, Ritz L
Journal Title	Archives of General Psychiatry
Year of Publication	2009
Volume	66
Issue	6
Pages	583-590
URL for Abstract	http://archpsyc.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/short/66/6/583
Full Text	Citalopram (Cilexa®) therapy may not be helpful for improving behaviors or skills in children with autism. This article reports results of a large randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study of citalopram with 149 children (5-17 years old). The children had autism, Asperger syndrome, or pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS). All of the children had moderate to severe compulsive or repetitive behaviors. They received citalopram therapy (10-20 mg/day) or a placebo (sugar pill) for 12 weeks. Citalopram therapy did not reduce repetitive behaviors or improve any other behaviors more than the placebo did. The authors tested more than 11 behaviors and skills using 3 different standard tests. Side effects of the drug therapy included increased energy, impulsiveness, decreased concentration, hyperactivity, stereotypy, diarrhea, sleep problems, and dry skin. The authors said that higher doses of citalopram may improve behaviors, but would also lead to more side effects. A commentary by F.R. Volkmar in the same journal issue noted that this study was large and well-designed. He agreed that citalopram may not be helpful for children with autism.