Autism Therapy: glutathione (L-glutathione)

definition of glutathione (L-glutathione): A small peptide that is found naturally in the body and is important in many bodily functions. It is an antioxidant (protects cells and tissues from damage) and also plays a role in clearing toxins from the body.

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Efficacy of Methylcobalamin and Folinic Acid Treatment on Glutathione Redox Status in Children with Autism
Am J Clin Nutr, by James, SJ, Melnyk S., Fuchs G., Reid T., Jernigan S., Pavliv O., Hubanks A., and Gaylor DW, published in 2009, summarized Aug 17, 2010

Vitamin B12 and folic acid may help to normalize the metabolism of children with autism.

Around 74% of parents use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to treat their children with autism. The goal of this study was to show whether or not vitamin B12 and folic acid could improve markers in the blood of children with autism. The authors measured SAM:SAH and GSH:GSSG in the blood of 40 children aged 2 to 7 years who had autism. The children were given 75 µg/kg of vitamin B12 (methylcobalamin) 2 times/week and 400 µg folinic acid 2 times/day for 3 months. The vitamins improved the blood results in the children, but did not bring the blood results to normal levels.


Safety and Efficacy of Oral DMSA Therapy for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Part A – Medical Results
BMC Clinical Pharmacology, by Adams, JB, Baral M., Geis E., Mitchell J., Ingram J., Hensley A., Zappia I., and Newmark S., published in 2009, summarized Mar 4, 2010

Oral dimercapto succinic acid (DMSA) therapy may be helpful in normalizing red blood cell glutathione levels in children with autism.

This study was designed to see if DMSA therapy (9 doses over 3 days, 10 mg/kg-dose) would cause children with autism to excrete toxic metals. DMSA was very good at causing lead to be released from the body. The children seemed to have less lead in their bodies after treatment than children in other research studies. Children were given 3 rounds of DMSA treatment. Researchers said that 80% of the children may need more than three rounds of DMSA treatment in order to remove all of the toxic metals. The authors said that DMSA therapy may reduce toxic metals and improve glutathione levels with few apparent side effects.


Efficacy of Methylcobalamin and Folinic Acid Treatment on Glutathione Redox Status in Children with Autism
Am J Clin Nutr, by James, SJ, Melnyk S., Fuchs G., Reid T., Jerniganl S., Pavliv O., Hubanks A., and Gaylor DW, published in 2009, summarized Sep 14, 2009

Treatment with metabolic supplements such as vitamins B12 and folic acid may help children with autism.

About 74% or parents use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to treat their children with autism. This study looked to see whether three months of treatment with vitamin B12 (75 mcg/kg methylcobalamin 2 times/week) and folic acid (400 mcg folinic acid 2 times/day) might help children with autism. The authors did not look at symptoms of autism, but only looked at changes in compounds in the blood of children with autism. The treatment increased blood levels of cysteine and GSH and reduced levels of GSSG. While the levels of these compounds became more like the levels seen in children who do not have autism, the levels did not become normal with treatment.


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Big Sister Shares with Others how Glutathione has Helped her Brother with Autism

Oct 7, 2009

Michala Riggle of Kentucky may only be 12, but she has raised awareness for an alternative treatment that has helped her little brother's autism. Along with awareness of glutathione, she has raised funds - nearly $300,000 - making beaded bracelets and getting donations. Kosair Children's Hospital is now studying the use of glutathione - "a tri-peptide of amino acids that help detoxify our body." The study uses glutathione for some children and a placebo for others. One mother, who does not know whether her child is on the glutathione or a placebo says that her child is no longer in a stroller, but walking and holding her hand.

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Biomedical Treatments

Oct 25, 2006 by Anonymous

My daughter has improved enormously on a specific protocol of supplements, detoxification, and gf/cf, soy free, glutamate free, low sugar diet. It is not idiopathic as she regressed after 165 mcg of thimerosal. She is now being treated for toxic encephalopathy, gut dysbiosis, an inability to excrete heavy metals, immune dysfunction, and food intolerances.

I see nothing on this site about many autistic children having immune and gut dysfunction, nor any studies about inflammation at all.

Autism: A Novel Form of Mercury Poisoning.
Medical Hypothesis, 2001.
Sallie Bernard, Albert Enyati, Lynn Redwood, RN, Teresa Binstock, PhD.

Comparison of Blood and Brain Mercury Levels in Infant Monkeys Exposed to Methylmercury or Vaccines Containing Thimerosal.
Environmental Health Perspectives, Aug 2005.

Thimerosal Neurotoxicity is Associated with Glutathione Depletion: Protection with Glutathione Precursors.
Neurotoxicology, Jan 2005.
S. Jill James, PhD [University of Arkansas].

Large Brains in Autism: The Challenge of Pervasive Abnormality.
The Neuroscientist, Volume 11, Number 5, 2005.
Martha Herbert, MD, PhD [Harvard University].

Neurotoxic Effects of Postnatal Thimerosal are Mouse Strain Dependent.
Molecular Psychiatry, Sep 2004.
Mady Hornig, MD [Columbia University].

Activation of Methionine Synthase by Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 and Dopamine: a Target for Neurodevelopmental Toxins and Thimerosal.
Molecular Psychiatry, July 2004.
Richard C. Deth, PhD [Northeastern University].

Neuroglial Activation and Neuroinflammation in the Brain of Patients with Autism.
Annals of Neurology, Feb 2005.
Diana L. Vargas, MD [Johns Hopkins University].

Reduced Levels of Mercury in First Baby Haircuts of Autistic Children
International Journal of Toxicology
Dr. Amy S. Holmes, Mark F. Blaxill, Boyd E. Haley, Ph.D.
March 14, 2003

Dysregulated Innate Immune Responses in Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Their Relationship to Gastrointestinal Symptoms and Dietary Intervention.
Neuropsychobiology, 2005.
Harumi Jyonouchi, MD [New Jersey Medical School].

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    • Synonyms for glutathione (L-glutathione) include: glutathione, L-glutathione, Reduced L-glutathione
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