Shared more. Cited more. Safe forever.
    • advanced search
    • submit works
    • about
    • help
    • contact us
    • login
    View Item 
    •   MOspace Home
    • University of Missouri-Columbia
    • Health Sciences Research Day (MU)
    • 2009 Health Sciences Research Day (MU)
    • View Item
    •   MOspace Home
    • University of Missouri-Columbia
    • Health Sciences Research Day (MU)
    • 2009 Health Sciences Research Day (MU)
    • View Item
    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.
    advanced searchsubmit worksabouthelpcontact us

    Browse

    All of MOspaceCommunities & CollectionsDate IssuedAuthor/ContributorTitleIdentifierThesis DepartmentThesis AdvisorThesis SemesterThis CollectionDate IssuedAuthor/ContributorTitleIdentifierThesis DepartmentThesis AdvisorThesis Semester

    Statistics

    Most Popular ItemsStatistics by CountryMost Popular AuthorsStatistics by Referrer

    Intrathecal baclofen as a pharmacologic treatment for tactile defensiveness and symptoms of autism spectrum disorder [abstract]

    Nevel, Rebekah
    View/Open
    [PDF] IntrathecalBaclofenPharmacologicTreameant[abstract].pdf (18.61Kb)
    Date
    2010-03
    Contributor
    University of Missouri--Columbia. School of Medicine
    Format
    Abstract
    Metadata
    [+] Show full item record
    Abstract
    Patient: An 18-year-old male with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Tactile Defensiveness suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Case Description: Pre-TBI, the patient exhibited mild tactile defensiveness but was independent in self-care. Two years post-TBI, he was severely spastic and completely dependent on others for care. His tactile defensiveness was exacerbated and his social and language skills were markedly diminished. He underwent a trial of intrathecal baclofen, followed by treatment for his spasticity with a surgical implantation of an intrathecal pump for continuous infusion of baclofen. Assessment/Results: Subsequent to intrathecal baclofen treatment, the patient showed significant reduction in his spasticity, with increased mobility and self-care. Unexpectedly, he demonstrated marked improvements in his tactile defensiveness and ASD, including social interaction skills and language ability. Discussion: Baclofen is an anti-spastic agent which is an analogue of the neurotransmitter gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA). Current literature describes a decrease in the number of GABAergic Purkinje cells, reduced levels of GABA receptors, and decreased GABA synthesizing enzymes in brains of patients with ASD. Disruption of the GABAergic system might potentially provide a mechanism of action by which intrathecal baclofen (a GABA analogue) could improve symptoms of ASD. Further, the anti-nociceptive effect of baclofen may be the mechanism by which baclofen could improve symptoms of tactile defensiveness. Conclusion: This is the first reported case, to our knowledge, of treatment for tactile defensiveness or ASD symptoms with intrathecal baclofen. Due to the improvements in this patient's tactile defensiveness, social interaction, and language ability, further studies are recommended.
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/10355/6309
    Rights
    OpenAccess.
    This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 License.
    Collections
    • 2009 Health Sciences Research Day (MU)

    Send Feedback
    hosted by University of Missouri Library Systems
     

     


    Send Feedback
    hosted by University of Missouri Library Systems