The NIDS Protocol

Before I delve a bit more into what Dr. Russell's plans are for Kaylee, I thought it would be good to explain the NIDS Protocol briefly. NIDS stands for Neuro-Immune-Dysfunction Syndrome and the theory is that many kids with autism are physically sick and their immune systems are so "hyped up" that they actually cause the brain to go into "shut-down" mode in order to protect it. They explain it like how you get "brain-fog" when you are sick. It's actually the body's immune response to protect its most prized possession: the brain.

So the NIDS doctors do TONS of blood tests and immune panels on our kiddos to see what exactly is going on so they can prescribe the right regimen. This includes the GFCF low sugar diet, antivirals, antifungals, antibiotics (for recurrent Strep infections that can affect the brain), and very low dose antidepressants.

Dr. Russell explained to me why the NIDS doctors use antidepressants while I was in his office. He said that once the immune system is "cooled down" effectively, it is important to restore blood flow to areas of the brain that have "shut down". According to studies using NeuroSPECT scans, children with autism have specific areas of the brain that are hypoperfused (meaning they don't get much blood flow). In autistic children, these scans reveal a lack of blood flow to the temporal lobes and too much blood flow to the limbic system (the center of emotions in the brain). SSRI's (or antidepressants) like Lexapro, Prozac, etc. are effective at restoring blood flow to the temporal lobes, where autistic children need it.

"So why not hyperbaric oxygen treatments?", I asked Dr. Russell. He told me that that the WHOLE brain gets hyperperfused with HBOT and that is not good for all of the "overactive" areas of the brain. With a very low dose of SSRI's blood flow can be restored to specific areas of the brain while ignoring the unwanted areas.

If you want to find out more about NIDS, please refer to my weblinks to the left and you can find even more in-depth information and research about this yourself. Believe me, I don't do it justice!

Not only am I very impressed with the research, I am impressed by the many children who have been helped by this treatment. Everyone at the NNY Autism Center has a child with autism who has been greatly improved or cured by this treatment. The proof is in the pudding!!