Research: Autism and Metabolic Diseases

Authored by Manzi, B., Loizzo AL, Giana G., and Curatolo P. in Journal of Child Neurology, Volume 23, Issue 3, p. 307-314, (2008).

Article summary (posted May 9, 2008):

Energy supplements such as creatine, biotin, and ribose may help some children with autism.

This review article describes different energy problems that can cause the symptoms of autism. These are called inborn errors of metabolism and can include: phenylketonuria, creatine deficiency syndromes, and Smith-Lemli-Opitz Syndrome. The authors believe that these inborn errors of metabolism may account for 5% of the cases of autism. In several of the case studies that were reviewed, a person with autism was found to have a metabolic problem. The authors suggest that people with autism be tested for metabolic problems so that treatments can be tailored to any problems that might exist.

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You can access the original abstract and the complete paper is sometimes available for free via Google Scholar (look for entries that say "PDF" or "HTML" on the right side of the page).
autism, biotin, creatine, deficiency, energy, inborn error of metabolism, metabolism, review article, ribose, Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome, supplements, treatment
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