Autism Studies and Related Medical Conditions, January 2009 - TACA

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.
PMID: 12585724 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Chugani DC, Sundram BS, Behen M, Lee ML, Moore GJ. Evidence of altered energy
metabolism in autistic children. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 1999
May;23(4):635-41.
Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Children's
Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, USA. dchugani@pet.wayne.edu
1. In this pilot study, the authors investigated the hypotheses there are
increased concentrations of lactate in brain and plasma and reduced brain
concentrations of N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA) in autistic children. 2. NAA and
lactate levels in the frontal lobe, temporal lobe and the cerebellum of 9 autistic
children were compared to 5 sibling controls using MRS. Plasma lactate levels
were measured in 15 autistic children compared to 15 children with epilepsy. 3.
Preliminary results show lower levels of NAA cerebellum in autistic children (p =
0.043). Lactate was detected in the frontal lobe in one autistic boy, but was not
detected any of the other autistic subjects or siblings. 4. Plasma lactate levels
were higher in the 15 autistic children compared to 15 children with epilepsy (p
= 0.0003). 5. Higher plasma lactate in the autistic group is consistent with
metabolic changes in some autistic children. The findings of altered brain NAA
and lactate in autistic children suggest that MRS may be useful characterizing
regional neurochemical and metabolic abnormalities in autistic children.
PMID: 10390722 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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