Acamprosate (Campral, Stop Drinking Drug) and Autism

Acamprosate can help treat patients with autism, Fragile X syndrome

In small, early clinical trials, adults and children with autism and Fragile X syndrome have shown improved communication and social behavior when treated with acamprosate, according to Craig Erickson, M.D., assistant professor of psychiatry at the Indiana University School of Medicine and chief of the Riley Hospital for Children Christian Sarkine Autism Treatment Center at Indiana University Health.

Acamprosate, which affects chemicals in the brain by blocking certain receptors associated with mental health, has approval from the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of alcoholism in adults.

Dr. Erickson is the inventor on a pending utility patent for the use of acamprosate as a therapeutic agent for Fragile X syndrome, the most common inherited form of intellectual disability and the most frequent single gene cause of autism.

"We have been treating small numbers of both adults and children," said Erickson. "We have observed improvements in eye contact, social interaction and speech. This is very early work, but it appears promising.

"We have a lot to do. We need to determine appropriate doses and forms for the best drug delivery. Larger studies will be needed to determine effectiveness and tolerability. And we expect to find many interesting things along the road, for example whether this drug could work better in those with Fragile X who have autism than in those whose autism is from an unknown cause."

Read more at http://www.news-medical.net/news/20110405/Acamprosate-can-help-treat-patients-with-autism-Fragile-X-syndrome.aspx

Related:

• Acamprosate on Wikipedia

Autism treatment under attack in Quebec

Number one autism treatment under attack in Quebec

MONTREAL, April 5 /CNW Telbec/ - Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention (EIBI), the most highly recommended, comprehensively researched and universally recognized treatment for autism, continues to be questioned, underfunded and ultimately threatened - but only in Quebec.

At least four compilations of multiple studies in the last three years confirm that EIBI is a well-established, evidence-based practice. Elsewhere in North America, it has been the standard autism therapy for years.

"The language issue is keeping Quebec behind the rest of North America on EIBI," said Dr. Katherine Moxness, director of Professional Services, West Montreal Readaptation Centre (WMRC).

"Because there is no French-language data on EIBI from a Quebec-based population yet, we are constantly forced to defend this proven therapy and the costs associated with it," said Dr. Moxness.

Nevertheless, rumours that EIBI is ineffective or even harmful have been circulating in Quebec for just as long, promoted chiefly by one autism specialist and a small group of self-identified experts who strongly question the evidence or who profit from offering therapies that are not supported by the scientific community.

In January, Montreal's La Presse newspaper published a series of articles on EIBI. Based on isolated cases, unfounded statements and even misrepresentation of sources, those articles attacked EIBI's effectiveness and cited challenges and irregularities in applying EIBI as an argument for abandoning it altogether.

A resulting press release and editorial letter by a dozen Quebec-based autism experts, including Dr. Moxness, systematically refuted the points made in the articles but received no media coverage.

"Allowing these rumours to circulate unchecked could lead to parents denying their children access to the most effective treatment and justify a government policy that does not prioritize EIBI," said Martine Beaurivage, WMRC director of Child and Family Services.

THE FACTS:

• The Quebec government's published goal is to provide EIBI to only 40.5 percent of autistic children who need it.
• It funds 800 children at a cost of $25 million a year, while Ontario funds 1,440 children and spends more than $186.6 million a year.
• In a UQÀM study of 180 parents currently underway, 89 percent said their child had made "a lot of" or "enormous" progress since their child began receiving EIBI.
• A minimum of 20 EIBI hours per week is what the scientific literature recommends. Rehabilitation centres in Quebec provide only 14 hours per week, on average.

About West Montreal Readaptation Centre

West Montreal Readaptation Centre (WMRC) was one of the first rehabilitation centres in Quebec to develop an EIBI program and has treated some 700 children since 2004. It follows a rigorous clinical curriculum with measurable results and oversees EIBI services to over 100 children with autism annually.

Katherine Moxness, Ph.D., is a departmental director and psychologist who has worked with hundreds of people with autism for over 15 years and was instrumental in lobbying for Law 21 to allow psychologists to diagnose autism. Both Dr. Moxness and Martine Beaurivage have seen dramatic improvements as a result of EIBI. Also a psychologist, Ms. Beaurivage directs WMRC's Department of Child and Family Services and is a member of several autism expert committees.

Autism Treatment Double Standards

Kids with autism face double standard

Officially, Minnesota doesn't pay for an intensive type of autism therapy. Yet it has - but only for some families.

Two years ago, a single mother in the Twin Cities asked the state Medicaid program to pay for an intensive type of autism therapy for her 2-year-old son.

She was turned down. State officials said the treatment -- known as Applied Behavior Analysis, or ABA -- is "not now, and never has been,'' a covered service.

It turns out, though, that's not the whole story.

For years, Minnesota taxpayers have been subsidizing that same treatment, which can cost up to $100,000 a year, for middle-class and even wealthy families, including the children of lawyers and business executives.

Last year, the state Medicaid program spent $13.5 million on ABA treatments for 379 children -- most of them above the poverty line, according to state records. Those families have been able to tap into Medicaid through a special disability category that has no limit on family income.

Yet the state tells some of its poorest children, who are in Medicaid managed-care plans, that ABA is simply not an option.

Read more at http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/wellness/119121669.html

Most meds don't help autism

Most meds don't help autism, studies show

Better studies that show which therapies work best for which children with autism spectrum disorders are needed, because most of the current research used to weigh treatment options today is lacking, according to new research published Monday.

When 1 in 110 children are affected by the same disorder where there's no definitively known cause or effective cure and in many parts of the country insufficient treatment options, determining how to best treat your child can be a huge challenge.

This is what parents of young and older children with autism face every day. People who have this neurological disorder can have multiple symptoms that affect their ability to communicate, impair their social behavior and display repetitive behavior. Many therapies and medications are offered to help patients with this disorder which affects patients for as long as they live, but there's not necessarily a consensus on what works at all or works well.

So the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, a division of the Department of Health and Human Services, decided to take a deeper look at the existing research. The AHRQ recognized that care for adolescents and young adults with autism varies greatly from provider to provider and that the people making decisions about treatment – family and health care professionals – had little solid information on which to judge.

Three studies published Monday in the journal Pediatrics, provide some data from this very large report. One article examines the effectiveness of intense early behavioral therapy in children with ASDs; the two others look at medications that are often prescribed to treat children with autism, with one study focusing specifically on a hormone called secretin. The research was done at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.

More at CNN.com

Who Will Care For Dana | Parade.com

Who Will Care For Dana | Parade.com

“The Art of Therapy” - Indiana Statesman

“The Art of Therapy” - Indiana Statesman

Autism: Some Researchers See Potential in Dietary Studies

Autism: Some Researchers See Potential in Dietary Studies

Cannabis 4 Autism?

CANBS SCI : Cannabis Science and The Unconventional Foundation for Autism (UF4A) Partner to Advance Successful Cannabis-based Autism Treatments

Cannabis Science, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: CBIS), a pioneering US biotech company developing pharmaceutical cannabis products, is pleased to announce the partnership with The Unconventional Foundation for Autism (UF4A) to build on the Foundation's success with its proprietary cannabinoid formulations for Autism treatment. The partnership will focus on advancing the medical cannabis treatments for Autism in conjunction with the successful cannabis treatments of Joey and 10 other families that are now being documented by The University of California Irvine Medical Center (UCI) for the Foundation.

These successful Autism treatments and pioneering efforts of Joey's Mom, Mieko Hester Perez, can be fully reviewed at www.uf4a.org.

Mieko and the successful treatment of her son has garnered wide-spread media interest including television appearances and interviews with KABC 7 - Los Angeles & San Francisco, 20/20 ABC, Good Morning America, Fox Morning News, Fox News Rhode Island, CBS Early Show, KCAL 9 & CBS 2 Los Angeles, The Doctor's TV Show, KABC 790 w/ Peter Tilden, Montel Williams, The Tom Joyner Show, The Kim Frasier Show w/ Dr. Lester Grinspoon, The Bill Press Show, NORML's Podcast w/ Russ Belville, Thomasina Tafur radio show. Featured interviews: Autism Spectrum Magazine, Treating yourself Magazine, Huffington Post, Autism Spot, Celebstoner, disability scoop, Autism Support Network, Kush Magazine August 2010 Issue Cover, High Times Medical Marijuana Magazine Winter 2011 Issue, Treating yourself Magazine (Joey's sibling interviewed Issue #23, Weed World UK Issue #89, Now Magazine UK Publications, Medical Cannabis Journal Issue, LA JEMM - Ethical Use of Medical Marijuana in the Treatment of Children with Autism, Orange County Register, California, The Revolution - Argentina publication. 2010 Recognized by the National Organization to Reform Marijauna Laws Woman's Alliance as one of the woman making history in the medical marijuana movement.

Mieko Hester Perez, Founder and Executive Director of The Unconventional Foundation for Autism (UF4A) stated, ?We believe that this new partnership with Cannabis Science will give us additional push and resources required to advance our Autism research. To date, we have already partnered with the University of California Irvine Medical Center to oversee our cannabis-based Autism research. Included in this group of advisors is the Dean of Medicine at UCI, and child psychiatrist Dr. Rebecca Hedrick M.D. Dr. Melamede of Cannabis Science will be an outstanding addition to the Board of the Foundation. His extensive knowledge of cannabinoid science should prove invaluable in our mission.?

As part of the new partnership, Dr. Robert Melamede, CEO of Cannabis Science, will be joining the board of UF4A as a scientific advisor. Dr. Melamede will work with UF4A to further assist in documenting the case studies and oversee the deployment of the Company's proprietary cannabinoid treatments on Autism patients alongside UF4A and medical professionals. He will also work with UF4A's legal advisors to progress the legalization of medical marijuana initiatives.

Dr. Robert Melamede Ph.D., Cannabis Science Inc., President & CEO, stated, ?Cannabis Science's partnership with UF4A is another instrumental step in reaching our long-term goal of FDA approval of the Company's products. The successful results from the Autism patients treated as documented by UF4A are very encouraging and we're excited to tap into UF4A's proven track record; providing our scientific expertise to help develop more refined treatment plans with Cannabis Science's formulations and extracts to achieve scientifically accepted patient outcomes. I'm also extremely excited to be working with the medical professionals at the University of California Irvine. This is a win-win for both our organizations in breaking new ground for medical cannabis treatments. Our partnership will enable both our Company and UF4A to expound upon studies and anecdotal evidence obtained by UF4A in order to catalogue verified case studies and solid science behind the treatment plans. This evidentiary step will help the UF4A and Cannabis Science partnership to move towards formal FDA testing to officially approve UF4A's successful treatments of Autism using medical cannabinoid extracts and formulations under the direction of physicians. ?

UF4A Case Studies

Mieko Hester-Perez and her son ?Joey? have inspired many additional parents with autistic children to step forward. Studies are underway with these children with oversight from Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist Dr. Rebecca M. Hedrick, M.D.

Dr. Hedrick is a child and adolescent emergency attending physician and covers the consult liaison service at UCI Medical. She runs a child and adolescent outpatient psychotherapy and medication management program. She also works with the Regional Center of Orange County in the treatment of individuals with developmental disabilities.

Associate Training Director, Psychiatry & Human Behavior School of Medicine M.D., Phone: (714) 456-8775 Fax: (714) 456-7605 Email: rhedrick@uci.edu

About UF4A

The Unconventional Foundation for Autism, UF4A for short, is a non-profit organization. The mission of UF4A is three fold: (1) to raise awareness and support for families afflicted with this mysterious and misunderstood condition known as Autism; (2) to raise funds for cannabis-based medical research and clinical trials; and (3) to campaign for a rescheduling of cannabis from Schedule 1 narcotic (no accepted medical benefits) to a lower schedule so that the appropriate research may be conducted, and so that all patients have access to medication. A listing on Schedule 1 is tantamount to a research blockade and, frankly, is unacceptable where millions continue to needlessly suffer and subject to criminal punishment should they choose to use cannabis under the direction of their physician. The Schedule 1 listing fails to reflect the prevailing medical view that cannabis has accepted medical benefits. UF4A is quickly becoming a leading advocate in the fight for nationwide investigation, research and analysis of the legalization of Medical Marijuana.

The partnership promises to advance the innovative medical autism research headed by Executive Director Mieko Hester- Perez. The Unconventional Foundation Autism's partnership focus is to bridge the gap between parents, scientists, and medical professionals to provide a better quality of life for our children diagnosed with the misunderstood condition known as Autism.

About Cannabis Science, Inc.

Cannabis Science, Inc. is at the forefront of pharmaceutical grade medical marijuana research and development. The Company works with world authorities on phytocannabinoid science targeting critical illnesses, and adheres to scientific methodologies to develop, produce and commercialize phytocannabinoid-based pharmaceutical products. In sum, we are dedicated to the creation of cannabis-based medicines, both with and without psychoactive properties, to treat disease and the symptoms of disease, as well as for general health maintenance.

Forward Looking Statements

Forward Looking Statements; This Press Release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934. A statement containing works such as "anticipate," "seek," intend," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "project," "plan," or similar phrases may be deemed "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Some or all of the events or results anticipated by these forward-looking statements may not occur. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include the future U.S. and global economies, the impact of competition, and the Company's reliance on existing regulations regarding the use and development of cannabis-based drugs. Cannabis Science, Inc. does not undertake any duty nor does it intend to update the results of these forward-looking statements.

Cannabis Science Inc.
Dr. Robert J. Melamede
President & CEO
info@cannabisscience.com
www.cannabisscience.com
1-888-889-0888
or
Mark J. Friedman
Investor Relations
info@cannabisscience.com
www.cannabisscience.com
1-877-431-CBIS (2247)

© Business Wire 2011

Rapid Prompting Method

Soma® RPM is a method that through practice, patience and consistency can be used by parents and professionals with their students. Incorporating a daily discipline of using the method for academic teaching and to introduce the concepts into the student's daily life is best. Since students are most familiar with the primary caregiver, we generally recommend that person to be the one to start using RPM at home by reading daily age appropriate material to their student. The primary caregiver can also work with the child by offering written word choices and begin having the student to spell selected word choices. Eventually, students learn to provide their responses by either spelling, handwriting and/or speaking, leading towards open-ended communication. We suggest that students become proficient responding to RPM with one or two people, in the home setting, before introducing it's use with other adults and/or in a groups setting or classroom.