A preliminary trial of ascorbic acid as supplemental therapy for autism

Dolske, Michelle C.; Spollen, John J.; McKay, Sean; Lancashire, Elizabeth; Tolbert, Lelland C.

doi:10.1016/0278-5846(93)90058-z

Cited by 150 publications

(90 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…However, there are no well-designed studies investigating vitamin C as a dietary supplement in ASD. In 1993, Dolske et al 64 postulated that vitamin C may have some ability to block dopamine receptors, and therefore offer pharmacological effects similar to those of traditional neuroleptics. These investigators completed a double-blind, 30-week, placebocontrolled trial of 18 children with ASD and reported decreased stereotyped behavior in children receiving vitamin C. This result has not been replicated.…”

Section: Biologically Based Practicesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Autism: An Evidence-Based Approach to Negotiating Safe and Efficacious Interventions with Families

2010

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Summary: This review focuses on helping clinicians identify resources and develop strategies they may use to effectively negotiate safe and effective use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatments with families of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), as well as other neurodevelopmental disorders. Since new types of CAM continue to be introduced into the autism community, emphasis is placed on providing clinicians with tools to help families negotiate the myriad of available treatments and make decisions based on current safety and efficacy data, while remaining mindful of the reasons families may be considering these treatments.We familiarize readers with high-quality, evidence-based resources that providers and families may use to ascertain current information about specific types of CAM, verify the content of biologically-based treatments, identify ongoing CAM research and obtain toolkits designed to help healthcare providers raise the topic of CAM usage and facilitate disclosure and discussion of CAM use with patients and their families. Key Words: Complementary and alternative medicine, autism, integrative medicine, gluten-free casein-free diet, melatonin, chelation, hyperbaric oxygen treatment, evidence-based medicine.

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Section: Biologically Based Practicesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Autism: An Evidence-Based Approach to Negotiating Safe and Efficacious Interventions with Families

2010

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“…In fact, treatment with antioxidants in ASD children raised the levels of reduced glutathione in the serum and appeared to improve symptoms [45] . In one double-blind study, the use of vitamin C improved behavior in autistic individuals when compared to a placebo [96] . Once MtD is identified, treatments with these nutritional supplements may lead to improvements in mitochondrial function and reductions of negative symptoms.…”

Section: Potential Treatments Of Mtd In Autismmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evidence of Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Autism and Implications for Treatment

Rossignol¹,

Bradstreet²

2008

American J. of Biochemistry and Biotechnology

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Classical mitochondrial diseases occur in a subset of individuals with autism and are usually caused by genetic anomalies or mitochondrial respiratory pathway deficits. However, in many cases of autism, there is evidence of mitochondrial dysfunction (MtD) without the classic features associated with mitochondrial disease. MtD appears to be more common in autism and presents with less severe signs and symptoms. It is not associated with discernable mitochondrial pathology in muscle biopsy specimens despite objective evidence of lowered mitochondrial functioning. Exposure to environmental toxins is the likely etiology for MtD in autism. This dysfunction then contributes to a number of diagnostic symptoms and comorbidities observed in autism including: cognitive impairment, language deficits, abnormal energy metabolism, chronic gastrointestinal problems, abnormalities in fatty acid oxidation, and increased oxidative stress. MtD and oxidative stress may also explain the high male to female ratio found in autism due to increased male vulnerability to these dysfunctions. Biomarkers for mitochondrial dysfunction have been identified, but seem widely under-utilized despite available therapeutic interventions. Nutritional supplementation to decrease oxidative stress along with factors to improve reduced glutathione, as well as hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) represent supported and rationale approaches. The underlying pathophysiology and autistic symptoms of affected individuals would be expected to either improve or cease worsening once effective treatment for MtD is implemented.

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“…A preliminary trial exploring the effectiveness of ascorbic acid (8g/70kg/ day) as a supplemental pharmacological treatment for autistic children reported a reduction in symptom severity [164]. Experimentally, vitamin E, thiamine, riboflavin, pyridoxine, methylcobalamin, folate, and nicotinamide have been shown to significantly reduce glutamate toxicity in vitro [165].…”

Section: Prevention and Amelioration Of Asdmentioning

confidence: 99%

Immune-Glutamatergic Dysfunction as a Central Mechanism of the Autism Spectrum Disorders

Blaylock

Strunecká

2009

CMC

125

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Despite the great number of observations being made concerning cellular and the molecular dysfunctions associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), the basic central mechanism of these disorders has not been proposed in the major scientific literature. Our review brings evidence that most heterogeneous symptoms of ASD have a common set of events closely connected with dysregulation of glutamatergic neurotransmission in the brain with enhancement of excitatory receptor function by pro-inflammatory immune cytokines as the underlying mechanism. We suggest that environmental and dietary excitotoxins, mercury, fluoride, and aluminum can exacerbate the pathological and clinical problems by worsening excitotoxicity and by microglial priming. In addition, each has effects on cell signaling that can affect neurodevelopment and neuronal function. Our hypothesis opens the door to a number of new treatment modes, including the nutritional factors that naturally reduce excitotoxicity and brain inflammation.

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A preliminary trial of ascorbic acid as supplemental therapy for autism

Cited by 150 publications

References 13 publications

Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Autism: An Evidence-Based Approach to Negotiating Safe and Efficacious Interventions with Families

Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Autism: An Evidence-Based Approach to Negotiating Safe and Efficacious Interventions with Families

Evidence of Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Autism and Implications for Treatment

Immune-Glutamatergic Dysfunction as a Central Mechanism of the Autism Spectrum Disorders

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