Dr. Maja Roje Novak

Abstract

There are currently no approved pharmacological therapies for the core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), prompting nearly half of patients or their caregivers to seek complementary and alternative medicine approaches. There is now compelling clinical and basic scientific evidence that megavitamin therapy can relieve core symptoms of ASD, possibly by modulating cellular energy metabolism and oxidative stress.
Based on these data and the underlying rationale, a new integrative medicine approach was designed for ASD patients that combined B- and C-vitamin megavitamin therapy with a complex isopathic preparation designed to target the core features of ASD pathobiology. This approach was tested in a 7-year-old child with ASD after written consent was obtained from his parents, who were seeking a radical change in therapy due to very little or no progress after years of specialized rehabilitation.
Promoting brain plasticity in the developing brain involves stimulating the growth of neural structures, including intense neurogenesis, synaptogenesis, and myelination. In addition to food, introducing essential nutrients such as vitamins to the brain is therefore a rational approach.
We decided to supplement parenteral vitamin C and vitamins B1, B6, and B12 in megadoses, along with folinic acid at a regular dose, combined with an isopathic mixture of Krebs cycle elements in a product called Coenzyme Compositum from a German manufacturer. The rationale for parenteral supplementation was to avoid possible gastrointestinal dysfunctions affecting absorption. The rationale for megadosing was to avoid relative vitamin deficiencies, considering principles of biochemical individuality.
The patient was a 7-year-old child with grade 2 ASD, presenting with typical symptoms including limited speech, social withdrawal, and cognitive delay, with a CARS-2 ST score of 31.
After 25 sessions of the protocol, the patient showed significant improvement in cognition, speech, social interaction, and behavior, (CARS.-2 ST , score of 24)suggesting that this treatment concept for children with ASD is worthy of further evaluation

Biography

EDUCATION
Undergraduate studies:
Faculty of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 1972–1976
Internship:
Clinical Hospital “Sestre milosrdnice”, Zagreb, 1984
State medical exam:
Ministry of Health of the Republic of Croatia, 1985
Postgraduate studies:
Pediatrics, 1984
Neurology, 1990
Master’s thesis:
Treatment of Nocturnal Enuresis in Children with Acupuncture, 1987
Postgraduate courses:
Acupuncture, 1982
International School of Homeopathy, 1998
Specialization:
Department of Neurology, University Hospital Centre (KBC), Zagreb, 1989–1992
Specialist exam:
Department of Neurology, KBC Zagreb, 1992
Previous professional experience:
Primary pediatric health care, 1984–1988
Memberships:
Croatian Medical Association
Croatian Neurological Society, Zagreb
Other:
Permanent court-appointed expert witness in neurology at the County Court in Zagreb

ORIGINAL CONTRIBUTIONS
Dr. Maja Roje Novak is the author of the following methods:
INTEGRATED NEUROREHABILITATION (INRA)
For cerebral palsy and other brain injuries in children
For neurodevelopmental disorders of cognition and speech (autism spectrum disorders)
For multiple sclerosis and other inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system
SULPYCO METHOD
For the treatment of anxiety-depressive disorders
Author of dietary supplements:
NEURONUTRITION – Triptobel and Mislibel
Founder of:
Association of Persons with Cerebral Palsy SNAGA, Zagreb

INTEGRATED NEUROTHERAPY WITH APITOXIN (BEE VENOM)
for inflammatory neurological diseases:
Multiple sclerosis (MS)
Myelitis
Polyradiculoneuritis
Neuritis

PATENTS AND TRADEMARKS
Patent applications:
Homeopathic preparation for the treatment of neurological spasm
Antidepressant remedy based on sulpiride and homeopathy (international patent)
Trademark applications:
Alohomeotherapy
INRA Method
Sulpyco
Triptobel
Mislibel

BOOKS
Healthy Nutrition in Multiple Sclerosis and Other Inflammatory Diseases
The Sulpyco Method (e-book, Amazon.com)
Quantum Manifesting (e-book, Amazon.com)

AWARDS, NOMINATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS
1.Award:
Hwang Di Award of the 7th International Congress of Chinese Medicine, awarded by the American Eastern Medical Institute, August 1, 1998, Berkeley, California, USA
2.Nomination:
Millennium Technology Prize, Finland
3.Recognition by German investigative journalists:
Dr. Maja Roje Novak is recognized as a leading European physician without ideological boundaries

SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS
1.Promoting Neuroplasticity in a Developing Brain:
Integrated Neurorehabilitation (INRA) for Children with Cerebral Palsy – A Protocol Description and Case Report
Journal of Neurology and Stroke, 2016, 4(4):00137
2.The Sulpyco Method:
An observational study on the efficacy of low-dose sulpiride combined with a complex homeopathic preparation for the treatment of depressive syndrome
Volume 29, Supplement 1 – EPA-0955
3.Treatment of Essential Tremor with Multi-Modal Nutritional Therapy in a Teenage Patient
Novak MR (2017). Journal of Neurology and Stroke, 7(3):00242
DOI: 10.15406/jnsk.2017.07.00242
4.The Treatment of Nocturnal Enuresis by Acupuncture
Neurologija, Vol. 39, No. 3, 1990
Case report: Successful Treatment of Chronic Nocturnal Enuresis with Acupuncture, Homeopathy and Behavioral Conditioning
American Journal of Acupuncture, Vol. 24, No. 2–3, 1996
5.Combined Sulpiride, Olanzapine and a Complex Isopathic Preparation for Delusional Disorder
Neurological Research and Surgery, 2019; 2(1):1–2
6.A Combined Megavitamin and Complex Homeopathy Regimen in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Promotes Speech Development: A Case Series
International Journal of Current Research, 12(01), 9169–9172