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, its 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 SFUs faculty of science, in a telephone interview Friday.
Air pressure can be increased or decreased inside hyperbaric chambers, which are well-known 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 Surreys Central City Brewers and Distillers, believes that hyperbaric treatments have helped his four-year-old speak in sentences for the first time.
Thats 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. Frosts 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.
Were not doing it for our son, hes already had HBOT. Im doing it so we can improve the science around it and identify which subgroup of autistic children would benefit from the therapy, Frost said Friday.
The $400,000 would provide start-up money to adapt the inside of the chamber so that its more suitable to children and help researchers apply for long-term support from funding agencies to conduct a rigorous, scientifically controlled study, Ruben said.
Were going in with healthy skepticism, he said. Were not trying to prove that it works. Were trying to determine whether it works.
The study would include placebo treatments and conclude with behavioural testing and brain imaging to measure results.
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SFU, brewery join forces in search for answers about autism