Bastyr Research: Under the Microscope

ADHD Research
Bastyr study is designed to determine efficacy of natural therapies on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In an effort to measure natural medicine's ability to improve ADHD, Bastyr Research Assistant Professor Wendy Weber, ND, is conducting a controlled research study as well as running a medical clinic for ADHD sufferers.

The Bastyr alumna explains her two-pronged approach to observing and treating the disorder: "At Bastyr Center for Natural Health, we have a specialty clinic on Monday nights for anyone with ADHD. Those between the ages of 6-17 are then invited to participate in a prospective observational study, which means we're allowed to use the information gathered during their visits in our study on the effectiveness of individualized naturopathic care on ADHD."

Begun in fall 2001, the approach used in the Bastyr-sponsored study is typical of that used by naturopathic physicians in addressing other conditions-looking at the patient as a whole and taking extensive histories of the patient to discover all possible influences on the body. Special attention is paid to diet to determine if study participants are getting the right balance of nutrients and essential fatty acids, or if certain foods are exacerbating their symptoms. "We try to find the original cause; and then we may do some specific treatments using herbs, amino acids, homeopathic remedies, etc.," says Weber. Results are then carefully tracked.

Weber reports that some patients are already seeing improvement, much of it related to diet.

"We haven't studied the data in detail yet," she says, "but we're finding that some patients definitely suffer from nutrient deficiencies or food allergies. Taking certain foods out of their diet, or adding others in, dramatically improves their behavior."

In fall 2004, Weber plans to begin analyzing the data gathered thus far; however, she expects to continue the study and the ADHD clinic indefinitely.

With funding from a career development award from the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine/National Institutes of Health, Weber will begin another ADHD study in late summer. The research will involve an eight-week placebo-controlled study, which will evaluate a specific herb to determine its effectiveness in treating ADHD. Volunteers are still needed for this study. For those interested in having their children (ages 6-17) participate in the research, please call 425.602.3419.

For those of all ages interested in attending the ADHD clinic to explore natural treatment options, please contact the naturopathic medicine desk at Bastyr Center for Natural Health, 206.834.4101.

National Geographic Brings Bastyr Research to TV
In late February 2004, a National Geographic film crew visited Bastyr's consciousness science lab to shoot footage for a new science-based television series scheduled to debut on the National Geographic cable channel in fall 2004. The series will explore controversial areas in scientific research, with the first episode featuring telepathy and some of its related research. Program producers stated they selected Bastyr for one of the installments because they felt the university had conducted some of the most cutting-edge research in the field of neurophysiology.

Bastyr senior researchers, together with consultants from the University of Washington and Neuro Research Associates, will be featured in the episode, as will Bastyr's 2000-2003 Neural Energy Transfer and SynchroDestiny research studies. In these studies, the ability of participants to share a transfer of neural energy, or in lay terms, a "telepathic" connection, were measured.

Ed Note: Read more about this study in the next issue of Bastyr Magazine.