Autism Studies and Related Medical Conditions, January 2009 - TACA

Coleman M, Steinberg G, Tippett J, Bhagavan HN, Coursin DB, Gross M, Lewis C,
DeVeau L. A preliminary study of the effect of pyridoxine administration in a subgroup
of hyperkinetic children: a double-blind crossover comparison with methylphenidate.
Biol Psychiatry. 1979 Oct;14(5):741-51.
A small sample of six patients with the putative "hyperkinetic syndrome"
participated in a research protocol comparing administration of pyridoxine,
methylphenidate, and placeboes. The children had had low whole blood
serotonin levels and a history of previous responsiveness to methylphenidate.
The results of the double-blind clinical evaluation showed trends suggesting that
both pyridoxine and methylphenidate were more effective than placebo in
suppressing the symptoms of hyperkinesis. Pyridoxine elevated whole-blood
serotonin levels, methylphenidate did not. Clinical and laboratory evidence
indicated that the pyridoxine effects persisted after the 3-week period when the
vitamin had been given in this experimental design.
PMID: 497303 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Deluca HF. The vitamin D system: a view from basic science to the clinic. Clin Biochem.
1981 Oct;14(5):213-22.
Vitamin D produced in the skin and absorbed in the small intestine must be
modified metabolically before it can function. It is ultimately converted to a
hormone in the kidney that stimulates intestine, bone and kidney to mobilize
calcium and phosphorus. This results in normal bone development and normal
neuromuscular function. The vitamin D hormone appears to act by a nuclear
mechanism to facilitate a target organ response. Finally the vitamin D hormone is
produced in response to the need for calcium and phosphorus. The calcium need
is interpreted by the parathyroid gland that in turn secretes parathyroid
hormone. The parathyroid hormone stimulates production of the vitamin D
hormone. This constitutes the vitamin D endocrine system that plays an
important role not only in calcium homeostasis but in phosphate homeostasis
and in calcium economy of the body. A number of disease states including
hypoparathyroidism, pseudohypoparathyroidism, renal osteodystrophy, certain
types of vitamin D-resistant rickets and osteoporosis can in part be related to
disturbance in the vitamin D endocrine system. Thus measurement of the
vitamin D hormone and its precursor will be of great value in diagnosis of
metabolic bone disease and most importantly, the availability of new vitamin D
compounds will play an important role in the treatment of these bone diseases.
PMID: 7037225 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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