ACTH therapy benefits stuttering and autism
Adrenocorticotropic hormone therapy in patients with nighttime subclinical seizure activity improves their stuttering and autism symptoms
ACTH therapy improves core symptoms of autism alongside EEG parameters and sublinical seizures.
In a retrospective study a total of 25 patients with attention deficit and hyperactivity (ADHD) or autism spectrum and comorbid stuttering were followed and treated with adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) for electrical status epilepticus in sleep (ESES). Following treatment with ACTH, normalisation of EEG parameters and subclinical epileptiform activity in all the patients was accompanied by a 72% improvement in ADHD or autism symptoms, and 83.8% improvement in stuttering. Twelve of the 25 patients with stuttering showed complete treatment response. The authors noted that the improvement in stuttering had a positive correlation with improvement in ADHD or autism symptoms.
“Stuttering shows a high rate of comorbidity with other developmental disorders such as ADHD and ASD. Language related symptoms in patients with benign focal epilepsies of childhood and LKS also involve stuttering…
The literature reports ESES activity in various developmental disorders. Abnormal epileptiform activities in ADHD/ASD patients have been documented, with an overall prevalence of epileptiform discharges ranging from 14% to 83% in various studies.
Our previous study illustrates that the onset or recurrence of ADHD symptoms is associated with the progressing epileptiform activity; when SWI is around 10–15%, neuropsychiatric symptoms appear. The underlying etiology may play a significant role in the pathophysiology of ESES, stuttering and other comorbidities, thereby connecting ESES to other developmental disorders.
According to the literature enhanced epileptiform activity is associated with cognitive and behavioral impairment while treatment with hormonal therapy is reported to improve language, cognition and behavior.”
References:
Altunel A, Sever A, & Altunel EÖ. (2017) ACTH has beneficial effects on stuttering in ADHD and ASD patients with ESES: A retrospective study. Brain Dev. Feb;39(2):130-137. doi: 10.1016/j.braindev.2016.09.001..
Century-old drug offers new hope for autism treatment
A small double-blind, placebo-controlled trial shows dramatic effects of suramin as a treatment for autism. Improvements were seen in all three core features of autism: language, social interactions, and restricted or repetitive behaviours across multiple diagnostics in multiple tests in all who received the active treatments, absent in the placebo arm
Higher rates of autism in children with various congenital disorders
Children with Congenital Heart Disease, Tuberous Sclerosis Complex, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Neurofibromatosis Type 1 suffer high rates of autism. Everolimus, an mTOR inhibitor with strong neuro-inflammation attenuating effects, reduces core autism symptoms in some children with TSC, epilepsy and autism…
Autism should be approached as a chronic health condition, scientists recommend
Numerous medical conditions are significantly more prevalent in children and adults with autism, including allergy and/or immunologic, musculoskeletal, neurologic, psychiatric and gastrointestinal conditions. Early childhood health problems can be used to spot children at high risk of autism…
Diuretic drug improves core autism symptoms
Double-blind randomized multicenter trial finds bumetanide ameliorates core symptoms of autism.A medical drug normally used to relieve fluid retention has been repurposed as a treatment for the core symptoms of autism. Following on from the promising results of their...
Perinatal risk factors and pregnancy complication associated with autism
Babies who are exposed to perinatal complicatios incl. asphyxia, preeclampsia, and meconium-stained amniotic fluid, are at increased risk of developing autism. The risk is especially high for babies exposed to complications both before and during birth.
Latest findings confirm pathological role of the immune system and inflammation in autism
Accumulating evidence suggests an association between immune dysfunction and pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorders in a large number of affected individuals. Findings from diverse fields of science and experimental animal studies point to close interconnectedness of the immune and the nervous systems
Autistic regression linked to autoimmunity
Autistic regression is a phenomenon where a previously normally developing child loses developmental milestones and previously acquired language and social skills, and regresses into autism. Symptoms such as fever, vomiting, incessant crying, irritability, changes in sleep patterns and emergence of motor abnormalities are frequently noted around the time of autistic regression…
Combined nutritional & dietary intervention effective at improving autism symptoms
Results of latest 12 month scientific study led by Prof Adams from Arizona State University suggest that a comprehensive nutritional protocol is both safe and effective at improving nutritional status, intellectual ability and autism symptoms in most individuals with autism
Autism Action Month: 12-month autism research recap 2018
We chose to call April Autism Action month, in large part because there is plenty of general awareness. Given the skyrocketing rates, it’s difficult to find an adult who doesn’t know a child with autism. However, there ought to be vast improvements when it comes to autism research awareness. With that in mind, below is our quick overview of important autism research (action!) from the past 12 months.