The Abstracts that started it all Improved social and language skills after secretin administration in patients with autistic spectrum disorders. Within 5 weeks of the Secretin infusion, a significant amelioration of the children's gastrointestinal symptoms was observed, as was a dramatic improvement in their behavior, manifested by improved eye contact, alertness, and expansion of expressive language. These clinical observations suggest an association between gastrointestinal and brain function in patients with autistic behavior. Autism, a neuropsychiatric disorder which presents within the first few years of life, is defined by deficient social interaction, communication, language, play, and a markedly restricted repertoire of activities and interests. Similarities between the deficit symptoms of schizophrenia and the social deficit symptoms of autism suggest the hypothesis that famotidine may be useful in treating children with autism.
Histamine serves as a neurotransmitter and neuromodulator in the brain.
The heptacosa-peptide was subsequently sequenced and synthesized by Mutt, Bodansky and their coworkers at the Karolinska Institute. When reconstituted in 7.5 mL of Sodium Chloride Injection USP, each mL of solution contains 10 CU secretin for intravenous use. The pH of the reconstituted solution has a range of 2.5-5.0. The primary action of Secretin is to increase the volume and bicarbonate content of secreted pancreatic juices. Normal ranges for pancreatic secretory response to intravenous Secretin in patients with defined pancreatic diseases have been shown to vary.