Simon Fraser University wants to put its hyperbaric chamber to work in studying a possible treatment for autism.
As the only hyperbaric chamber in Canada at a research centre, it's a chance to examine a treatment that has anecdotal backing from parents, but no unbiased proof that it works, said Dr. Peter Ruben, associate dean of research in SFU's faculty of science, in a telephone interview Friday.
Air pressure can be increased or decreased inside hyperbaric chambers, which are wellknown for treating decompression sickness - or the bends - in scuba divers. Hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) administers pure oxygen at higher-than-normal pressure and is known to be effective in treating some wounds - professional athletes use it to heal more quickly - and carbon monoxide poisoning.
The proposed experiments at SFU would use HBOT on children and adults with autism because there is some evidence that it increases blood circulation to the brain. Autism is a range of behavioural and learning problems that affects about one in every 150 children.
Darryll Frost, president and founder of Surrey's Central City Brewers and Distillers, believes hyperbaric treatments have helped his four-year-old speak in sentences for the first time.
That's why he is leading fundraising efforts with the goal of giving SFU $400,000 for the pilot stage of research. Starting this week, $2 from the sale of every Red Racer Imperial IPA for autism will go toward the project. Frost's company created a special run of 24,000 bottles for the cause. Central City Brewers and SFU are also hosting a fundraiser for autism research on May 24 in Surrey.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says there is no evidence hyperbaric chambers help people with autism. Furthermore, there have been at least 80 deaths worldwide in unregulated chambers, according to Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins Medicine.
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Originally posted here:
SFU, brewery join forces in search for autism insights