| I have covered the topic of serotonin levels in | | | | scenario but seems to not function properly in |
| special needs children in the past, and specifically | | | | some children with Autism. There is a therapy out |
| serotonin levels in children with Autism. I have also | | | | there called reserpine which is an Indian herb that |
| gone over how serotonin can be influential in brain | | | | has been used in the past, even dating back to |
| function and learning, and serotonin can also | | | | the 1950's. Reserpine has been used on individuals |
| influence mood and states of happiness. Many | | | | with Autism to boost levels of MAO-A and can |
| individuals take medications like Prozac, Paxil or | | | | help with many of those core issues seen in |
| Zoloft, which are called serotonin reuptake | | | | Autism. A new therapy called Respen-A is a |
| inhibitors. For many people serotonin levels can | | | | homeopathic derivative of reserpine and is in a |
| become depleted and that can lead to depression. | | | | patch form. Respen-A has been showing good |
| The reverse may be true for many children on | | | | benefits in regards to many of the core issues |
| the Autism spectrum. It appears that many of | | | | like eye contact, attention, focusing, language, self |
| them have a problem converting serotonin into its | | | | stimulatory behaviors and sensory behaviors that |
| more active form. When that conversion of | | | | can be very common in Autism. |
| serotonin fails to occur, it can have adverse | | | | So as we learn more and more about the |
| effects on many of the core issues we associate | | | | complexities involved in brain chemistry and more |
| with Autism like language issues, lack of eye | | | | and more research is done on Autism in general, |
| contact, self stimulatory problems and behavioral | | | | we unfold more therapies that can help. This link |
| issues. | | | | between serotonin and MAO-A activity is an area |
| MAO-A or monoamineoxidase A is an enzyme in | | | | of great interest in Autism treatment. And the |
| the brain that has been identified as one of the | | | | potential use of Respen-A as a therapy can help |
| problem areas. MAO-A assists with the conversion | | | | in this area. |
| of serotonin into its active form in a perfect | | | | |