Doctors from Richmond Behavioral Associates in New York understand the importance of researching new treatments for autism that could improve autistic people’s quality of life. (This post reports on research from 2017.)
That’s why they engaged in a clinical trial to confirm whether identifying and correcting hormonal imbalances can lead to improvement in an autistic person’s social adaptation.
The team is also participating in clinical trials that focus on digestive enzymes for better treatment of autism.
Many autistic people experience social communication differences in day-to-day life. These can show up as less eye contact, not responding when their name is called, or turning away from a voice that is heard. Some autistic children are also less interested in imitating the actions of their peers, a way of learning that non-autistic children often rely on.
Researchers believe these differences may be linked to an imbalance in two hormones, oxytocin and vasopressin. These are also known as “love hormones”. The imbalance might be caused by decreased levels of social behavior in individuals diagnosed with autism.
Dr. Eli Shalenberg says “These particular hormones are involved in social bonding and processing sensory information.”
“Previous research has shown that these hormone levels are lower in people with autism; the level of the hormone predicts their social adaptiveness. The idea is that correcting the imbalance of this hormone will improve their social behavior,” Shalenberg said.
CORRECTING A HORMONE IMBALANCE
The drug used to correct the imbalance is taken in the form of a pill and is being manufactured by the Swiss company Roche. Approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has already been sought after and approved.
A study has been conducted on rodents. The animals showed signs of having reversed the direction of their social adaptiveness, which was further confirmed by Dr. Shalenberg.
Subjects were also given the hormones through a nasal spray. They showed improvement in auditory recall and learning senses.
Dr. Shalenberg adds “Sensory overload is largely responsible for holding autistic children back. The drug was subjected to safety tests and no adverse effects were observed during the trial.”
Dr. Mark DiBuono, Dr. Shalenberg and Dr. Adam Smith are the three doctors in the New York metro area participating in a new study called The Aviation Study.
“Even though we’re in New York, a lot of people don’t have access to stuff like this. You would expect that they’re doing this at NYU, Columbia, etc., but they’re not as equipped to do these studies,” said Dr. Smith.
“We often think the best care is in (the city), but this is only available on Staten Island,” he said.
THE AVIATION STUDY
This study is being conducted with autistic people and is mainly focused on young people aged between 12 and 17. The study lasts for 24 weeks, although sometimes it can last for 28 weeks.
In the first four weeks, the doctors receive updates from parents about the child’s sensory changes, behavioral changes and other social behaviors. Blood samples are taken every other week to check that the medicine is affecting hormone levels and that the body is functioning as it should.
“This study has been going on since August to distinguish the best dose (of the hormone),” Smith explained.
The doctors from Staten Island are optimistic about their findings and are looking forward to the results of the first group of 20 autistic participants.
“We really try and are careful about what we prescribe and we would not promise a family that this is going to work. It’s not right to mislead these families based off other studies, but we do our best to explain every detail to them,” he said.
“As a parent, we know there’s nothing you won’t do to help your kid.”
Must Read: Living With Autism: A Guide to the Basics
I am Ash and I celebrate Neurodiversity! Growing up with an elder brother with severe Autism was tough – but it has also taught me essential life lessons. I don’t believe that people with Autism are necessarily or have any disorder (except in extreme cases). They are just different! And that is something to be proud of! I am passionate about helping other families who may have Autism conditions in their family. So please reach out and drop me a note. I will be glad to help 🙂
