Unproven Autism Treatment Raises Concerns Among Researchers
Over the last decade, clinics have emerged across Southern California and beyond, offering a therapy called magnetic e-resonance therapy, or MERT, as a treatment for autism. Developed by Wave Neuroscience, MERT is based on transcranial magnetic stimulation, a type of brain stimulation approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, migraines, and smoking addiction. However, the FDA hasn’t approved MERT for autism treatment, and researchers are sounding the alarm about the lack of evidence supporting its effectiveness.
Concerns About Off-Label Prescribing and Marketing
Clinics offering MERT claim that the treatment can produce “miraculous results” in kids with autism, improving their sleep, emotional regulation, and communication abilities. However, a six-week course of MERT sessions can cost $10,000 or more. While off-label prescribing is a common practice in medicine, researchers argue that such treatments should be evidence-based, clearly explained to patients, and priced in a way that reflects the likelihood of success. Most clinics advertising off-label TMS as a therapy for autism don’t meet these standards, according to Dr. Andrew Leuchter, director of UCLA’s TMS Clinical and Research Service.
Lack of Scientific Evidence and Ethical Guidelines
A recent peer-reviewed editorial in the medical journal Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation calls for the establishment of ethical guidelines around off-label TMS marketing. The editorial, written by Dr. Leuchter, Lindsay Oberman, and Dr. Holly Lisanby, singles out MERT as an example of off-label TMS with negligible evidence of efficacy. “There is extremely limited scientific evidence at present that any form of TMS has efficacy and safety in improving the core symptoms of language, social skills, or behavioral disturbances associated with ASD,” the editorial states. The authors argue that websites and promotional materials that fail to acknowledge this limited evidence-base can create a risk of bias and potential for false expectations.
Dr. Erik Won, Wave’s president and chief medical officer, did not respond to requests for comment. A Times investigation last year found that there are no large scientific studies demonstrating that MERT is significantly better than a placebo at improving speech and communication challenges associated with autism. Wave has not conducted any clinical trials on MERT and autism. Without data, there is no way to know whether a patient’s anecdotal experience is typical or an outlier, according to Zoe Gross of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network.
Advice for Families and the Need for Evidence-Based Treatments
For families unsure of whether a particular commercial therapy might be valuable for their child, James McPartland, director of the Yale Center for Brain and Mind Health, recommends asking the advice of a clinician or an autism scientist who is not connected to the facility providing the service. “Before you want to ask someone to spend resources on it, you want to have a certain degree of confidence [that] it’s going to be useful,” he said. As researchers continue to call for ethical guidelines and evidence-based treatments, families can stay informed by seeking out credible sources and consulting with experts in the field. For more information, read the full article Here
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