Dan Rossignol

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Daniel A. Rossignol, MD, FAAFP, is a family medicine doctor. [1] [2] Rossignol runs the Rossignol Medical Center, with offices in Melbourne, Florida and in Aliso Viejo, California. [3] He also works at the Wisconsin Integrative Hyperbaric Center in Fitchburg, Wisconsin, and is a member of the physician advisory board for The Autism Community in Action (TACA; formerly Talk About Curing Autism). [4] Rossignol is known for his advocacy of certain autism therapies. [1] [5]

Contents

Education

Rossignol received his MD from the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine and completed his residency in family medicine at the University of Virginia. [6]

Research

Rossignol's website states that he has published 47 scientific papers, [3] whereas Google Scholar lists 37. Also according to Google Scholar, Rossignol has an h-index of 12. [7] He is best known for publishing randomized clinical trials of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for children with autism, having originally proposed their use for the condition in a 2006 non-peer reviewed paper in Medical Hypotheses . [8] These trials have usually concluded that it is safe, and that it may be effective, but that further study is needed before it can be said to have been proven effective. [9] [10] [11] With regard to one of these studies, published in 2009, Rossignol said, "We wanted to do a formal study that looked to see if this was even a valid treatment," and "We hoped to stimulate more research." [12] He has received the Edgar End Memorial Award from the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society for his HBOT-related research. [6] Some of Rossignol's other research has focused on the prevalence of mitochondrial disease in autistic children, and has concluded that mitochondrial disorders are more common among autistic children than neurotypical children. [13] With regard to this study, Cecilia Giulivi of the University of California, Davis agreed that it appeared from Rossignol's paper that there is indeed a higher incidence of mitochondrial disease among autistic individuals. [14] In addition, Rossignol and Richard E. Frye teamed up to conduct a meta-analysis on the efficacy of melatonin supplements as a treatment for autism. They published their findings in 2011, and while they concluded that it is associated with "improved sleep parameters, better daytime behavior, and minimal side effects," they also called for more research to confirm their findings. [15] [16] A follow-up paper by the same two authors, published on September 20, 2013, as an Epub ahead of print, came to similar conclusions. [17]

Criticism

Rossignol's best-known paper is a clinical trial of HBOT published in 2009, which received widespread media attention. [12] [18] [19] Critics of this research include Steven Novella, who has noted that Rossignol provides HBOT in his clinical practice and therefore "stands to gain personally if its effectiveness is proven." [19] Its methodology was also subject to some criticism, for example by Paul Offit, who argued that "it was possible that at least some parents could tell whether the treatment was active or not, leading to possible observer bias that was not controlled in the study," [20] in contrast to Rossignol et al.'s claim that the parents in the study did not know whether their child had received real HBOT as opposed to the sham version. In addition, John Gever [20] and Steven Novella [19] noted that this study only measured autistic symptoms for four weeks. Additionally, the Committee for the Advancement of Scientific Skepticism wrote that Rossignol's 2009 study "...measured a baseline level of ASD based on three indices [one of which has been discredited] [21] and then measured the degree of improvement within the two groups. There were no comparisons between the placebo and treatment groups, which is essential to determine if there was any benefit for treatment with HBOT. As a result, no firm conclusions about the usefulness of HBOT in the treatment of ASD can be made based on the results of this study." [22] Similarly, Aetna released a policy brief on HBOT in which they stated that, in this study, "There were no significant differences between treatment and control groups in total score, and in the subscales for speech, sociability, and health," [23] and Richard Mills noted that because "children with autism often struggle with other medical issues," "it is difficult to discern exactly which condition hyperbaric therapy might benefit." [24] In response to this criticism, Rossignol has said that "kids who receive the same number of sessions outside of research settings often remain better for longer [than the four week period during which their symptoms were monitored in the study]," [25] and that "You wouldn't anticipate a physician who wasn't doing hyperbaric-oxygen therapy to actually conduct a study of it. Oftentimes when things are new — and this is kind of a new finding — the people who do the studies are going to be those who are involved in it to begin with." [18]

Lawsuit

In 2010, Rossignol was sued in Cook County Circuit Court by James Coman, who alleged that Rossignol, along with another family practice physician, Anjum Usman of Naperville, had administered "dangerous and unnecessary experimental treatments", including chelation therapy, to Coman's son, who was 7 years old at the time. [26]

Personal life

Rossignol is married to Lanier Watkins Rossignol (formerly known as Elizabeth Lanier Watkins). [27] [28] [29] [30] They have two sons, Isaiah and Joshua, both of whom have autism. [31] [32] Lanier has been licensed as a registered nurse since 1996 and resides in Aliso Viejo, California. [33] Rossignol has said he was first introduced to HBOT when his wife suggested using it on their sons, [12] which he then proceeded to do. [34]

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References

  1. 1 2 "On shaky ground with alternative treatments to autism - Los Angeles Times". Articles.latimes.com. 2009-12-07. Retrieved 2014-03-03.
  2. ↑ "Dr. Daniel Rossignol - Melbourne, FL - Family Medicine". Healthgrades. Retrieved 2014-03-03.
  3. 1 2 "Home". Rossignol Medical Center. 2014-02-15. Retrieved 2014-03-03.
  4. ↑ "Dr. Dan Rossignol". TACA. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  5. ↑ "Doctors sued over 'dangerous' autism treatment - Chicago Tribune". Articles.chicagotribune.com. 2010-03-04. Retrieved 2014-03-03.
  6. 1 2 "Dan Rossignol, MD" . Retrieved 11 October 2013.
  7. ↑ "Dan Rossignol". Google Scholar . Retrieved 15 October 2013.
  8. ↑ Rossignol, D. A.; Rossignol, L. W. (2006). "Hyperbaric oxygen therapy may improve symptoms in autistic children". Medical Hypotheses. 67 (2): 216–228. CiteSeerX   10.1.1.575.2062 . doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2006.02.009. PMID   16554123.
  9. ↑ Rossignol, D. A.; Rossignol, L. W.; Smith, S.; Schneider, C.; Logerquist, S.; Usman, A.; Neubrander, J.; Madren, E. M.; Hintz, G.; Grushkin, B.; Mumper, E. A. (2009). "Hyperbaric treatment for children with autism: A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial". BMC Pediatrics. 9: 21. doi: 10.1186/1471-2431-9-21 . PMC   2662857 . PMID   19284641.
  10. ↑ Rossignol, D. A.; Rossignol, L. W.; James, S. J.; Melnyk, S.; Mumper, E. (2007). "The effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on oxidative stress, inflammation, and symptoms in children with autism: An open-label pilot study". BMC Pediatrics. 7: 36. doi: 10.1186/1471-2431-7-36 . PMC   2244616 . PMID   18005455.
  11. ↑ Rossignol, D. A.; Bradstreet, J. J.; Van Dyke, K.; Schneider, C.; Freedenfeld, S. H.; O'Hara, N.; Cave, S.; Buckley, J. A.; Mumper, E. A.; Frye, R. E. (2012). "Hyperbaric oxygen treatment in autism spectrum disorders". Medical Gas Research. 2 (1): 16. doi: 10.1186/2045-9912-2-16 . PMC   3472266 . PMID   22703610.
  12. 1 2 3 Brownstein, Joseph (13 March 2009). "Hyperbaric Autism Treatment Shows Possible Promise". ABC News . Retrieved 12 October 2013.
  13. ↑ Rossignol, D. A.; Frye, R. E. (2011). "Mitochondrial dysfunction in autism spectrum disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis". Molecular Psychiatry. 17 (3): 290–314. doi:10.1038/mp.2010.136. PMC   3285768 . PMID   21263444.
  14. ↑ Brooks, Megan (31 January 2011). "Mitochondrial Dysfunction Linked to Autism". Medscape . Retrieved 11 October 2013.
  15. ↑ Rossignol, D. A.; Frye, R. E. (2011). "Melatonin in autism spectrum disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis". Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology. 53 (9): 783–92. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8749.2011.03980.x . PMID   21518346.
  16. ↑ "Treatment of Melatonin Dysfunction in Children With Autism Shows Improvement in Sleep and Daytime Behaviors". PR Newswire . 26 April 2011. Retrieved 15 October 2013.
  17. ↑ Rossignol, D. A.; Frye, R. E. (2013). "Melatonin in Autism Spectrum Disorders". Current Clinical Pharmacology. 9 (4): 326–34. doi:10.2174/15748847113086660072. PMID   24050742.
  18. 1 2 Anderson, Pauline (2 April 2009). "Hyperbaric Therapy May Improve Autism Symptoms". Medscape . Retrieved 12 October 2013.
  19. 1 2 3 Novella, Steven (16 March 2009). "Hyperbaric Oxygen for Autism". Neurologica Blog. Retrieved 12 October 2013.
  20. 1 2 Gever, John (12 March 2009). "Hyperbaric Therapy Called Effective Against Autism". MedPage Today . Retrieved 9 January 2019.
  21. ↑ Granpeesheh, D.; Tarbox, J.; Dixon, D. R.; Wilke, A. E.; Allen, M. S.; Bradstreet, J. J. (2010). "Randomized trial of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for children with autism". Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders. 4 (2): 268–275. doi:10.1016/j.rasd.2009.09.014.
  22. ↑ "Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment for Autism - Clearing the Air | Committee for the Advancement of Scientific Skepticism". Scientificskepticism.ca. 2010-06-01. Archived from the original on 2014-01-22. Retrieved 2014-03-03.
  23. ↑ "Clinical Policy Bulletin: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy". Aetna . Retrieved 15 October 2013.
  24. ↑ Basu, Paroma (13 April 2009). "Experts question study touting hyperbaric therapy for autism". Simons Foundation . Retrieved 17 October 2013.
  25. ↑ Lite, Jordan (13 March 2009). "Can hyperbaric oxygen therapy help autistic kids?". Scientific American . Retrieved 11 October 2013.
  26. ↑ Callahan, Patricia (4 March 2010). "Doctors sued over 'dangerous' autism treatment". Chicago Tribune . Retrieved 11 October 2013.
  27. ↑ "Elizabeth L Rossignol, Age 42 – Free address, phone, and more on Advanced Background Checks (160035567)". Advancedbackgroundchecks.com. Retrieved 2014-03-03.
  28. ↑ "Elizabeth Rossignol, Melbourne Florida - Instant Checkmate". Archived from the original on 2014-03-04.
  29. ↑ "Daniel Rossignol: More funding needed to study autism". Ocregister.com. 2013-10-19. Retrieved 2014-03-03.
  30. ↑ Rossignol DA (2013). "My Experience Learning About Autism". Glob Adv Health Med. 2 (6): 74–7. doi:10.7453/gahmj.2013.090. PMC   3865379 . PMID   24349885.
  31. ↑ "About Us". ICDRC. Retrieved 11 October 2013.
  32. ↑ Rossignol, Dan (18 October 2013). "More funding needed to study autism". OC Register . Retrieved 1 November 2013.
  33. ↑ "License Lookup". Secure01.virginiainteractive.org. 1996-07-22. Retrieved 2014-03-03.
  34. ↑ Diffin, Elizabeth (23 April 2009). "Hyperbaric therapy shows promise for autism treatment". Medill Reports Chicago. Medill School of Journalism. Archived from the original on 27 April 2009. Retrieved 12 October 2013.
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