Pancreatic replacement therapy improves maladaptive behavior in preschool children with autism, according to research | |
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Written by: Halle Jones
The use of high-protease pancreatic replacement therapy demonstrated improvement in maladaptive behaviors, such as irritability, in preschool children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to research conducted at 32 clinical sites, including UTHealth Houston.
The study was published recently in Jama Network Open.
“Children who have ASD often have a number of co-occurring maladaptive behaviors, such as irritability. We wanted to know whether these maladaptive behaviors can be addressed by an intervention with a low risk of side effects,” said Deborah A. Pearson, PhD, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston and lead author on this paper. Pearson is also the director of the Developmental Neuropsychology Clinic at UTHealth Houston.
Pearson said many children with ASD are selective about the foods they eat, often preferring carbohydrates like bread and pasta over protein. Some amino acids necessary for building neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, which are associated with behavioral and cognitive function, can only be obtained from food through protein digestion.
A total of 190 children, ages 3-6, participated in the study. In the first double-blind phase of the trial, 92 children were randomized to the active treatment arm, and took 900 mg of a microencapsulated high-protease pancreatic porcine enzyme that was sprinkled on their food three times daily. In the other arm, 98 children had a placebo sprinkled on their food for 12 weeks. In the second open-label phase, all of the children received the active medication for 24 weeks.
According to the 12-week results, parents of children in the active treatment arm reported significant decreases in their child’s symptoms of irritability, hyperactivity/noncompliance, and inappropriate speech, relative to parents of children in the placebo arm. In the second 24-week phase, significant decreases were reported in all of the above behaviors, as well as in lethargy/social withdrawal. No serious adverse events were associated with the treatment.
“This study demonstrated that pancreatic enzymatic replacement — which is thought to enhance the supply of essential amino acids necessary for the synthesis of neurotransmitters — was associated with improved behavioral function in preschoolers with ASD, with minimal side effects,” Pearson said.
Co-authors on the paper included Robert L. Hendren, DO, with the University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, as well as Matthew F. Heil, PhD, and William R. McIntyre, PhD, with Curemark LLC, sponsor of the study.
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Cordeiro receives grant to treat Huntington's Disease | |
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Thiago Macedo e Cordeiro, MD, MSc, postdoctoral fellow in the Faillace Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, recently received a grant of $150,000 from the Human Biology Project of the Huntington’s Disease Society of America.
Cordeiro’s study will use transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), which is a noninvasive brain stimulation that has shown promising results in scientific literature for behavioral and cognitive symptoms in different disease settings.
Cordeiro will explore if tDCS can help alleviate symptoms of Huntington’s disease, a genetic disease that causes brain cells to gradually die. The disease attacks areas of the brain that help control voluntary movements, but are also responsible for the development of a number of psychiatric symptoms like depression, anxiety, apathy, and impulsivity.
Neurology has traditionally been the point of contact in the care of patients with Huntington’s disease due to its neurodegenerative mechanisms and emblematic movement disorders. However, according to Cordeiro, the high prevalence of psychiatric and behavioral symptoms places this disease in the intersection of neurology and psychiatry.
The goal of Cordeiro’s study is to see if tDCS, which has shown promising results in clinical trials for other diseases, such as major depression and Alzheimer’s disease, can be a two-in-one treatment to take care of both the cognitive and behavioral aspects that come with Huntington’s disease.
The clinical trial will be a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind crossover study that will enroll 16 patients. There will be two rounds of treatments. The patients receiving the treatment in the first phase of the first trial will receive the sham treatment in the second phase, and vice versa.
Cordeiro hopes the treatment will help improve both the behavioral and cognitive symptoms in patients with Huntington’s disease. He also sees this as an opportunity for researchers in neurology and psychiatry to work together toward a common objective of helping patients with Huntington’s disease.
“My main interest in my career has been to study the neural mechanisms of behavior and brain diseases,” Cordeiro said. “I’m very grateful to my mentors, Dr. Antonio L. Teixeira and Dr. Erin Furr Stimming, for this opportunity. Huntington’s disease was a very interesting topic to me from the beginning, especially because you can see the interface between different and complementary fields for treatment and care of patients in great need. This is a good starting point for innovation.”
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Taylor speaks on the importance of mindfulness | |
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Andrea Taylor, PhD, assistant professor in the Faillace Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, recently spoke with KHOU Channel 11 on the subject of mindfulness, which is maintaining the moment-to-moment awareness of thoughts. This can have a significant impact on both mental and physical health.
The story is part of their Health Matters series, sponsored by UT Physicians, part of UTHealth Houston .
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Congratulations to those who passed the adult board certification exam! | |
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Join us in congratulating the second year child and adolescent fellows for passing the Adult Board Certification Exam.
Cesar Soutullo, MD, PhD, Vice Chair and Chief of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and the John S. Dunn Professor, join in with the fellows and became double board certified in adult and child psychiatry.
Thank you all for what you do for the department!
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Spotlight:
Weaver speaks at museum series
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Michael Weaver, MD, DFASAM, professor in the Faillace Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and medical director for the UTHealth Houston Center for Neurobehavioral Research on Addiction, recently spoke at The Health Museum about drug addiction.
The museum is currently hosting an exhibit, “Drugs: Costs & Consequences: Opening Eyes to the Damage Drugs Cause,” from the Drug Enforcement Administration Museum. Designed to shed light on the science behind drug addiction and the myriad costs of illegal drugs to individuals, society, and the world, the exhibit includes artifacts, historic content, and 32 video and interactive stations.
Weaver spoke as a part of the series, “For the Health of It.”
“The Health Museum is a great resource and the exhibit from the DEA is excellent,” Weaver said. “I encourage families to come see it. My family really enjoyed the museum.”
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The following clinical trials are in operation, following all necessary safety guidelines. If you're interested, contact the appropriate study.
The Effects of Abstinence on EEG Power and Attention in Cocaine Use Disorder
The purpose of this study is to compare the brain processes involved in attention of current cocaine users and those who have been abstinent for at least one month. These brain responses are expected to help us understand how the brain recovers after no longer using cocaine and to identify attention problems that can be addressed in future treatments.
Contact: 713-500-DRUG (3784)
PEA for Bipolar Depression
The purpose of this six-week study is to test a novel antidepressant medication called PEA (palmitoylethanolamide) in addition to a mood stabilizer for patients with bipolar disorder. This medication is considered a nutraceutical which works by targeting the endocannabinoid system to reduce inflammation and may help reduce symptoms of depression.
Contact: 713-486-MOOD (6663)
COVID-19 Bereavement in Youth
The purpose of this study is to increase understanding of pandemic-related bereavement in children and adolescents.
Contact: psy.ccbstudy@uth.tmc.edu
To see all open studies, visit our website.
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Haloperidol alters neurotrophic factors and epigenetic parameters in an animal model of schizophrenia induced by ketamine - PubMed - December 2023
Samira S Valvassori, Richard T da Rosa, Gustavo C Dal-Pont, Roger B Varela, Gustavo A Mastella, Thiani Daminelli, Gabriel R Fries, João Quevedo, Alexandra I Zugno
Environmental Enrichment Rescues Oxidative Stress and Behavioral Impairments Induced by Maternal Care Deprivation: Sex- and Developmental-Dependent Differences - PubMed - November 2023
Gislaine Z Réus, Morgana S Abitante, Luana M Manosso, Airam B de Moura, Laura A Borba, Maria Eduarda M Botelho, Ana Caroline Darabas, Julia P Demo, João Paulo Behenck, Camila O Arent, Leandro Garbossa, Larissa Joaquim, Taiane A Cardoso, Fabricia Petronilho, João Quevedo
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Deborah Little, PhD, spoke to NPR about a study that suggested thalamic deep brain stimulation can improve cognitive function after moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (3:15 mark)
Lokesh Shahani, MD, PhD, MPH, explains why the character of Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol” faced looming health issues because of his isolation and negativity.
Shahani also talked to FOX 26 News about suicide prevention following new data released by the CDC, which indicated rates of suicide by firearm reached a record high in 2022.
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Louis A. Faillace, MD, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston
713-486-2500
Email
Website
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