Autism Studies and Related Medical Conditions, January 2009 - TACA

6- Autism and oxidative stress treatments (5 citations):
Amminger, G. P., G. E. Berger, et al. (2007). "Omega-3 fatty acids supplementation in
children with autism: a double-blind randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study." Biol
Psychiatry 61(4): 551-3.
BACKGROUND: There is increasing evidence that fatty acid deficiencies or
imbalances may contribute to childhood neurodevelopmental disorders.
METHODS: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 6-
week pilot trial investigating the effects of 1.5 g/d of omega-3 fatty acids (.84
g/d eicosapentaenoic acid, .7 g/d docosahexaenoic acid) supplementation in 13
children (aged 5 to 17 years) with autistic disorders accompanied by severe
tantrums, aggression, or self-injurious behavior. The outcome measure was the
Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC) at 6 weeks. RESULTS: We observed an
advantage of omega-3 fatty acids compared with placebo for hyperactivity and
stereotypy, each with a large effect size. Repeated-measures ANOVA indicated a
trend toward superiority of omega-3 fatty acids over placebo for hyperactivity.
No clinically relevant adverse effects were elicited in either group.
CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study provide preliminary evidence that
omega-3 fatty acids may be an effective treatment for children with autism.
Chez, M. G., C. P. Buchanan, et al. (2002). "Double-blind, placebo-controlled study of L-
carnosine supplementation in children with autistic spectrum disorders." J Child Neurol
17(11): 833-7.
L-Carnosine, a dipeptide, can enhance frontal lobe function or be
neuroprotective. It can also correlate with gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-
homocarnosine interaction, with possible anticonvulsive effects. We investigated
31 children with autistic spectrum disorders in an 8-week, double-blinded study
to determine if 800 mg L-carnosine daily would result in observable changes
versus placebo. Outcome measures were the Childhood Autism Rating Scale, the
Gilliam Autism Rating Scale, the Expressive and Receptive One-Word Picture
Vocabulary tests, and Clinical Global Impressions of Change. Children on placebo
did not show statistically significant changes. After 8 weeks on L-carnosine,
children showed statistically significant improvements on the Gilliam Autism
Rating Scale (total score and the Behavior, Socialization, and Communication
subscales) and the Receptive One-Word Picture Vocabulary test (all P < .05).
Improved trends were noted on other outcome measures. Although the
mechanism of action of L-carnosine is not well understood, it may enhance
neurologic function, perhaps in the enterorhinal or temporal cortex.
Danfors, T., A. L. von Knorring, et al. (2005). "Tetrahydrobiopterin in the treatment of
children with autistic disorder: a double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study." J Clin
Psychopharmacol 25(5): 485-9.
Twelve children, all boys, aged 4 to 7 years, with a diagnosis of autistic disorder
and low concentrations of spinal 6R-l-erythro-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobiopterin
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