Autisim

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder generally characterized by difficulty interacting and communicating with other people, repetitive behaviors, and restricted interests. Symptom severity varies greatly across those with ASD, and not all individuals will show every symptom(1).

 

While the exact causes of ASD remain unclear, there is strong evidence that ASD involves decreased blood flow to certain brain regions, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction(2). Our therapies are proven to target these exact issues and may help effectively improve symptoms of ASD.

 

Extivita Therapies for Autisim:

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Extivita Therapies for Autism:

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Stroke

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Neurofeedback Therapy for Stroke

Neurofeedback

Supplements for Stroke

Supplements

Nutritional IV Therapy for Stroke

Nutritional IV Therapy

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Autism:

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy - Chapel Hill

We recommend hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for ASD due to its benefits for the immune system and blood flow(3-4). There have been several studies on the effects of HBOT for ASD, with many pointing to significant symptom improvement following HBOT(5-7).

One study found that HBOT significantly decreased markers of inflammation and resulted in improved motivation, speech, and cognitive awareness in children with ASD(5).

A more recent study also found that children with ASD improved in almost all categories of both the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) and Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) following 40 sessions of HBOT(7). Although further research is necessary, preliminary evidence points to HBOT as an extremely low-risk, effective therapy for those with ASD.

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Effects of HBOT on Autisim:

Grows New Blood Vessels

New Blood Vessel Formation

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy stimulates the formation of new blood vessels, healing injured tissues that were unable to get nutrients and oxygen.
Increases Stem Cell Production

Increased Stem Cell Activity

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy mobilizes stem progenitor cells (SPCs) from the bone marrow, creating the opportunity for tissue regeneration.
Decreases Inflammation

Decreased Inflammation

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy reduces systemic inflammation by increasing anti-inflammatory gene expression and decreasing proinflammatory genes.
Neurofeedback Therapy in Durham, NC

Neurofeedback for Autism:

We recommend neurofeedback therapy due to the abundance of evidence supporting its efficacy for those with ASD(8). Neurofeedback likely improves ASD symptoms by helping balance the abnormal brain wave activity that is consistently observed in those with ASD(9-11).

Neurofeedback protocols for ASD typically involve decreasing theta activity (4-7Hz) while increasing either low beta activity (12-15Hz) or mu activity (8-13Hz)(12-15). Most studies complete 40 neurofeedback sessions and have found improvements in executive functioning, verbal and nonverbal communication, sociability, repetitive behaviors, imitation, sustained attention, and more(12-15). Lastly, a recent study found that these improvements were still present 12 months after ending neurofeedback therapy(15).

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IV Therapy for Autism:

We recommend our Myer’s Cocktail IV and glutathione IV for those with ASD. There is robust evidence that oxidative stress is significantly elevated in ASD(16-17). Both the Myer’s Cocktail and glutathione are powerful antioxidant IVs that effectively reduce oxidative stress and its subsequent cellular damage(18-19). Additionally, low glutathione levels have repeatedly been found in those with ASD, suggesting the need for additional sources such as glutathione infusions(16). Overall, our Myer’s Cocktail and glutathione IVs are ideal for reducing cellular dysfunction in those with ASD.

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Nutritional IV Therapy in Durham, NC

News & Research for Autism:

Cerebral hypoperfusion in autism spectrum disorder

Nov 1, 2018 |

Cerebral hypoperfusion, or insufficient blood flow in the brain, occurs in many areas of the brain in patients diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Hypoperfusion was demonstrated in the brains of individuals with ASD when compared to normal healthy control brains either using positron emission tomography (PET) or single‑photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). The affected areas include, but are not limited to the: prefrontal, frontal, temporal, occipital, and parietal cortices; thalami; basal ganglia; cingulate cortex; caudate nucleus; the limbic system including the hippocampal area; putamen; substantia nigra; cerebellum; and associative cortices. Moreover, correlations between symptom scores and hypoperfusion in the brains of individuals diagnosed with an ASD were found indicating that the greater the autism symptom pathology, the more significant the cerebral hypoperfusion or vascular pathology in the brain. Evidence suggests that brain inflammation and vascular inflammation may explain a part of the hypoperfusion. There is also evidence of a lack of normal compensatory increase in blood flow when the subjects are challenged with a task. Some studies propose treatments that can address the hypoperfusion found among individuals diagnosed with an ASD, bringing symptom relief to some extent. This review will explore the evidence that indicates cerebral hypoperfusion in ASD, as well as the possible etiological aspects, complications, and treatments.

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References
  1. NIMH » Autism Spectrum Disorder. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/autism-spectrum-disorders-asd/index.shtml. Accessed 25 Mar. 2021.
  2. Rossignol, Daniel A., and Richard E. Frye. “Evidence Linking Oxidative Stress, Mitochondrial Dysfunction, and Inflammation in the Brain of Individuals with Autism.” Frontiers in Physiology, vol. 5, Frontiers, 2014. Frontiers, doi:10.3389/fphys.2014.00150.
  3. Rossignol, Daniel A., et al. “Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment in Autism Spectrum Disorders.” Medical Gas Research, vol. 2, no. 1, June 2012, p. 16. PubMed, doi:10.1186/2045-9912-2-16.
  4. Rossignol, Daniel A., et al. “The Effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy on Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Symptoms in Children with Autism: An Open-Label Pilot Study.” BMC Pediatrics, vol. 7, Nov. 2007, p. 36. PubMed, doi:10.1186/1471-2431-7-36.
  5. A, Kostiukow, and Samborski W. “The Effectiveness of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.” Polski Merkuriusz Lekarski : Organ Polskiego Towarzystwa Lekarskiego, vol. 48, no. 283, Feb. 2020, pp. 15–18.
  6. Wang, Jun, et al. “Resting State EEG Abnormalities in Autism Spectrum Disorders.” Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders, vol. 5, no. 1, Sept. 2013, p. 24. Springer Link, doi:10.1186/1866-1955-5-24.
  7. Stroganova, Tatiana A., et al. “Abnormal EEG Lateralization in Boys with Autism.” Clinical Neurophysiology, vol. 118, no. 8, Aug. 2007, pp. 1842–54. ScienceDirect, doi:10.1016/j.clinph.2007.05.005.
  8. Burnette, Courtney P., et al. “Anterior EEG Asymmetry and the Modifier Model of Autism.” Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, vol. 41, no. 8, Aug. 2011, pp. 1113–24. DOI.org (Crossref), doi:10.1007/s10803-010-1138-0.
  9. van Hoogdalem, Lothar E., et al. “The Effectiveness of Neurofeedback Therapy as an Alternative Treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorders in Children: A Systematic Review.” Journal of Psychophysiology, Hogrefe Publishing, 2020, p. No Pagination Specified-No Pagination Specified. APA PsycNET, doi:10.1027/0269-8803/a000265.
  10. Kouijzer, Mirjam E. J., et al. “Neurofeedback Treatment in Autism. Preliminary Findings in Behavioral, Cognitive, and Neurophysiological Functioning.” Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, vol. 4, no. 3, July 2010, pp. 386–99. ScienceDirect, doi:10.1016/j.rasd.2009.10.007.
  11. Kouijzer, Mirjam E. J., et al. “Neurofeedback Improves Executive Functioning in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.” Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, vol. 3, no. 1, Jan. 2009, pp. 145–62. ScienceDirect, doi:10.1016/j.rasd.2008.05.001.
  12. Pineda, J. A., et al. “Positive Behavioral and Electrophysiological Changes Following Neurofeedback Training in Children with Autism.” Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, vol. 2, no. 3, July 2008, pp. 557–81. ScienceDirect, doi:10.1016/j.rasd.2007.12.003.
  13. Datko, Michael, et al. “Positive Effects of Neurofeedback on Autism Symptoms Correlate with Brain Activation during Imitation and Observation.” European Journal of Neuroscience, vol. 47, no. 6, 2018, pp. 579–91. Wiley Online Library, doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/ejn.13551.
  14. Kouijzer, Mirjam E. J., et al. “Long-Term Effects of Neurofeedback Treatment in Autism.” Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, vol. 3, no. 2, Apr. 2009, pp. 496–501. ScienceDirect, doi:10.1016/j.rasd.2008.10.003.
  15. Adams, James B., et al. “Nutritional and Metabolic Status of Children with Autism vs. Neurotypical Children, and the Association with Autism Severity.” Nutrition & Metabolism, vol. 8, no. 1, June 2011, p. 34. PubMed, doi:10.1186/1743-7075-8-34.
  16. Essa, M. M., et al. “Excitotoxicity in the Pathogenesis of Autism.” Neurotoxicity Research, vol. 23, no. 4, May 2013, pp. 393–400. PubMed, doi:10.1007/s12640-012-9354-3.
  17. Carr, Anitra C., and Silvia Maggini. “Vitamin C and Immune Function.” Nutrients, vol. 9, no. 11, Nov. 2017. PubMed Central, doi:10.3390/nu9111211.
  18. Forman, Henry Jay, et al. “Glutathione: Overview of Its Protective Roles, Measurement, and Biosynthesis.” Molecular Aspects of Medicine, vol. 30, no. 1–2, Apr. 2009, pp. 1–12. PubMed, doi:10.1016/j.mam.2008.08.006.