Therapeutic Issues for Autism
Therapeutic Issues for Autism
This study aimed to show the effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy and/or Risperidone in
 improving symptoms of autism
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are clinical disorders with multiple developmental
 disabilities in skills associated with overall behavior and communication. The term (ASD)
 includes Autistic Disorder (AD), Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified
 (PDD-NOS), and Asperger's Disorder .

 Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a treatment in which patients inside a hyperbaric chamber
 breathe a concentrated oxygen pressurized more than sea level (1 atmosphere absolute) .

 It was obvious that autistic children may have some benefits of HBOT by increasing in
 cerebral perfusion during treatment. Inhalation of more pressurized oxygen might elevate
 partial pressure of oxygen in the arterial blood, and increased oxygen that reaches the brain
 . Another mechanism of action of HBOT that it might have anti-inflammatory properties by
 reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukins 1 and 6, interferon-γ, and tumor
 necrosis factor-α. Furthermore, HBOT might enhance mitochondrial dysfunction, and upregulate
 the antioxidant enzymes production.

 Risperidone is a second generation antipsychotic, approved by the Food and Drug
 Administration (FDA) for treatment of autism-related irritability. Its approved in 2006 only
 for children not less than 5 years old . This trial aimed to study the effects of hyperbaric
 oxygen therapy and/or Risperidone in management symptoms of autism.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  age of 5-7 years

 -  weight of at least 15 kg

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Absence of significant medical problems and any other neuropsychiatric disorder
 requiring drug therapy (e.g., Bipolar disorder, psychosis).

 -  No concomitant treatment with psychotropic medication was allowed during the study.

 -  Weight less than 15 kg.

 -  Other cardiac, liver, gastrointestinal, renal, endocrine, blood and metabolic diseases