Join CafeMom Today! Autism Spectrum Disorder: Treatments: Respen-A as Autism Treatment?

Monday, November 16, 2009

Respen-A as Autism Treatment?

Study: Respen-A medication appears to normalize brain function in autistic children

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.

DeLack's hypothesis (which can be viewed in slide show format at www.Neuro-Med.net) connects autism to the use of epidurals during childbirth. Epidurals were introduced into this country in the 1960's. By the mid-80's, 22 percent of women received an epidural during delivery. In the mid-90's, the number grew to 67%. Today, nearly 90% of women receive an epidural during pregnancy.

However, DeLack contends that it may not be the epidural procedure, but the drugs given in conjunction with the procedure, particularly the drug Pitocin, that has contributed to increasing numbers in autism.

Pitocin crosses the placenta to the infant's system during childbirth. The drug requires adequate production of an enzyme found in the liver (CYP 3A4) in order to rid it from the body. If the infant has a genetic inadequacy of the CYP 3A4 enzyme (found more often to be lacking statistically in boys than girls), the drug's intensity could become elevated in the infant's system, and build with another naturally occurring neurotransmitter that plays a key role in brain development: the hormone Oxytocin.

Oxytocin builds naturally in the brain during the first 7 - 10 days of life, ensuring that nerve patterning develops as it should in the brain. Once Oxytocin levels reach a naturally predetermined level, the development of the brain's nerve system (HNS system) ceases.

DeLack theorizes that the addition of Pitocin into the bloodstream of infants without adequate CYP 3A4 genetic enzymes, causes brain development to "shut off" early, stunting crucial neuro-development.

DeLack hypothesizes that a second enzyme may explain why autism shows up in many children around the age of three. The enzyme MAO-A is essential in regulating serotonin levels in the brain. In the first years of life, MAO-A levels remain high, assisting brain function. The impact of MAO-A may, in fact, cover symptoms of brain impairment in infants and toddlers.

MAO-A levels diminish as the child ages - allowing serotonin levels to rise, impacting the areas of the brain associated with communication, speech, emotion and bonding. Respen-A curbs the level of serotonin in the autistic brain.

"We see promise in all of this," DeLack says. "Further study will determine if simple modification during childbirth could be all that is needed to stem the surging tide of autism," states DeLack. And for those who have autism? "Respen-A could give them a quality of life that they - and their parents - deserve."

SOURCE Neuro-Med.net



7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Has anyone from the mainstream medical community looked into this? If so, can you comment? Some very bold claims are being made here. I contacted Dr Starr who offered a phone consult and prescription but I am not moving until I hear more about this. This may be just another snake oil con artist preying on our desperate hopes.

Anonymous said...

Agreed, what's he story here??

Anonymous said...

I agree. It seems like a thing a day. Instead of posting this on the internet, clinical studies should be forwarded to autism treatment centers around the country.

Fred Starr, MD FAACAP said...

Dear Anonymous,

Thank you for taking the time to respond.

Regarding your comments about Respen-A. As an MD, and Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist in the mainstream medical community, I have "looked into this." As the parent of a terminally ill child, I would be the first to say if I thought something was snakeoil. Hope is all we have, but there is nothing worse then false hope of some miracle cure. We make no claims that Respen-A is any such thing.

However, if you take the time to read my findings at http://www.neuro-med.net/docs/brochurea.pdf
I think you would find the science to be sound, the mechanism of action plausible, and the amount of literature on the use of this very medication in the treatment of autism to be vast.

I am currently submitting an article for publication, and collecting data from several sites to gain a more robust sample, and to determine if our initial findings on QEEG changes in Respen-A is reproducible on a larger scale.

I can be reached at doc@5starrpsych.com for any questions regarding Respen-A.

Fred Starr, MD

FredStarrMD said...

Dear Anonymous,

I appreciate your feedback and comments. All of us could be more skeptical and discriminating when it comes to health claims.

As a member of the "mainstream medical community," I am "looking into," Respen-A. As the parent of a terminally ill child, I would be the first to call out something as "snake oil." Hope is what keeps us going, but there is no place for false hope.

If you would take the time to read my clinical findings at www.neuromed.net/doctor.html. You would find that the science is sound, the data is compelling, and the literature available on this very medication is vast.

The active ingredient of Respen-A is reserpine. This medication has been in use for almost 50 years. Several studies have been published documenting the improvement in Autism when it is administered.

Respen-A takes this medication and delivers it through the skin in a slow release controlled fashion. This eliminates the side effects of Reserpine seen in other studies.

Currently, I am working on getting approval for a larger pilot study and then a double blind placebo controlled study.

That being said, Respen-A does appear to be working. The results are reproducible. It seems very good news for parents living with an autistic child.

Sincerely,
Fred Starr, M.D.

FredStarrMD said...

Thank you for all your emails. I am doing my best to answer them all. Please be patient.

I was heartened by the one story of a 12 year old boy, who for the first time since the age of 3 said "Mama".

I also appreciate all the skeptics, and probing questions. I always tell my patients to be informed consumers. Don't be shy about questioning me. It makes me dig further into the research to learn more.

Currently, I am working on an online database to collect clinical data from health care providers, both nationally, and internationally, to report their findings on Respen-A using the ATEC rating scale.

fS

danielthomas said...

Autism Treatment approach is to take care of underlying medical issues that may trigger or affect autism-spectrum disorders, ADD, ADHD and others

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