Autism Studies and Related Medical Conditions, January 2009 - TACA

exhibit higher than average levels of androgens. Spironolactone is an aldosterone
antagonist and potassium-sparing diuretic with a desirable safety profile. It
possesses potent anti-inflammatory and immune modifying properties that might
make it an excellent medical intervention for autism spectrum disorders.
Furthermore, spironolactone demonstrates substantial anti-androgen properties
that might further enhance its appeal in autism, particularly in a definable subset
of hyperandrogenic autistic children. One case report is briefly reviewed
demonstrating objective clinical improvements in an autistic child after
spironolactone administration. Additional research in controlled trials is now
needed to further define the risks and benefits of spironolactone use in children
with autism.
Brudnak, M. A., B. Rimland, et al. (2002). "Enzyme-based therapy for autism spectrum
disorders -- is it worth another look?" Med Hypotheses 58(5): 422-8.
Autism is a developmental disease usually manifesting within the first three years
of life. To date, no causative agent has been found. Similarly, treatment options
have been limited. Of the treatment options available, a number of them have
been nutritionally based in an attempt to address one or more of the theories
regarding the etiology of the disease. An example would be enzyme therapy for
the digestion of purported offending neuroactive peptides collectively known as
exorphins. This paper discusses the exorphin theory of autism and subsequent
treatment with dietary enzyme therapy. Novel data are presented in support of
the theory that enzymes play a critical role in autism. Forty-six patients between
the ages of 5 and 31 were selected for inclusion in the study based on a
diagnosis placing them in the category of the autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
The diets were supplemented with a novel dietary enzyme formulation,
ENZYMAID, for a period of 12 weeks. Progress was tracked according to the
Symptom Outcome Survey (SOS) (1) form method of symptom charting and
presented in a table for further analysis. The novel enzyme formula, ENZYMAID,
beneficially and safely affected all 13 of the parameters measured.
Improvements ranged from 50-90%, depending on the parameter measured.
Enzyme therapy to treat ASD may indeed a viable option in treatment protocols.
These results indicate that further controlled studies are warranted.
Chez, M. G., T. Dowling, et al. (2007). "Elevation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha in
cerebrospinal fluid of autistic children." Pediatr Neurol 36(6): 361-5.
Recent reports implicating elevated cytokines in the central nervous system in a
small number of patients studied with autism have reported clinical regression.
These studies have not focused on tumor necrosis factor-alpha as a possible
marker for inflammatory damage. A series of 10 children with autism had clinical
evaluation of their serum and spinal fluid for inflammatory changes and possible
metabolic disease as part of their neurological evaluation. Elevation of
cerebrospinal fluid levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha was significantly higher
(mean = 104.10 pg/mL) than concurrent serum levels (mean = 2.78 pg/mL) in
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