Preliminary trial results provide new hope for autism
Neurotech International Limited (ASX: NTI) (“Neurotech” or the “Company”), developer of quality medical solutions in the neuroscience space, has received excellent preliminary findings for its Mente Autism device in the Child Autism Study being conducted by US-based Carrick Institute.
The findings to date were presented to delegates from around the world by Professor Frederick R Carrick at the 6th Cambridge International Conference on Mental Health, held between 20-22 September 2017 at Clare College, Cambridge, UK.
Dr Ahmed Hankir, a Senior Research Fellow with the Bedfordshire Centre for Mental Health Research (BCMHR) in association with the University of Cambridge said:
"The Child Autism Study using the Mente Autism device is one of the most exciting investigations this year. The changes observed in autistic children after a 12-week clinical trial are outstanding with many of the children with autism scoring in a normal range after the treatment. We are thrilled to review these incredible preliminary findings and are looking forward to the publication of the final study outcomes."
Professor Carrick, a Senior Research Fellow at BCMHR in association with the University of Cambridge presented the study findings. He stated:
"We are very excited with our preliminary findings that demonstrate positive changes in children's neurological function after using the Mente Autism device in our clinical study. We divided children that have a documented diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Syndrome into two groups. One group received a real [or active] treatment and the other group received a placebo or control treatment …. Neither the children, their parents or the doctors knew which group each child was in as the study had a double-blind design. In this fashion we can state with statistical significance the effect of the Mente Autism device. The study is ongoing but half of the children in our study have completed it and we have observed major positive changes in the children in the active arm of the study and no statistical changes in the control group of children that did not receive the active treatment."
Professor Carrick told the conference attendees that they expect the study to be finalised by the end of the year.
As noted by Dr Hankir, the results provide new hope for the treatment of autistic children using a novel medical device, with doctors excited about the possibility of treating autism without drugs or surgery.
The clinical trial uses the Mente Autism device that measures a child's brain waves (“EEG”) using a portable head band. The device delivers sound to a child's ear and measures the changes in brain activity associated with the sound. Sound changes brain activity and those changes are measured by the Mente Autism EEG head band which in turn changes the sound to match the needs of the brain. The treatment is given for 40 minutes each morning of the 12-week clinical trial. Researchers measured a variety of neurological functions before and after the trial in order to measure the effects of the treatment.
The researchers are not associated with the design of the Mente Autism device and are not affiliated with Mente Autism.
