Research summaries for autism therapy: prospective study

definition of prospective study: Type of scientific study designed to plan in advance what will be measured, and then measure it during the study. A prospective study is different from a retrospective study, which is based on data collected by remembering or measuring things that have already happened.
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A Prospective Study of Transsulfuration Biomarkers in Autistic Disorders, Summarized Mar 5, 2009

Therapies that boost metabolism may help children with autism.

This study was designed to see if children with autism have problems with one of their energy pathways (transsulfuration pathway). The authors found that children with autism had markers in their blood that would be found if the children had a problem in their transsulfuration pathway. The authors are concerned that a weak transsulfuration pathway may cause problems with cell function and the turning on of genes. The result would be children who are easily sick and may have a worse response to environmental chemicals than other children. The lab test that the authors used can be obtained from Vitamin Diagnostics. Read more...

A Prospective Study of Mercury Toxicity Biomarkers in Autistic Spectrum Disorders, Summarized Nov 5, 2007

Chelation therapy may decrease the amount of porphyrin (marker of metal exposure) in the urine of children with autism.

This study was designed to see if porphyrin levels are higher in the urine of people with autism as compared to the urine of people without autism. Porphyrins can be found in the blood and they bind metal such as iron. Higher levels of certain porphyrins in the urine may suggest that the person has been exposed to mercury or other heavy metals. The study looked at patients with autism who went to the Genetic Centers of America for testing. The study found that people with autism had higher levels of the porphyrins that may signal mercury exposure. The authors tested the urine in two labs and found the results to be the same in both labs. Read more...

Risperidone-Induced Prolactin Elevation in a Prospective Study of Children, Adolescents, and Adults with Mental Retardation and Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Summarized Mar 28, 2007

Risperidone therapy may have a bad effect on puberty and bone health.

Prolactin is a hormone that affects puberty, bone health, blood sugar control, and ability to breastfeed. This paper looked at blood prolactin levels in a small group of a large prospective crossover study of people with pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) who were given risperidone as a treatment for behavioral problems. The study looked at children, adolescents, and adults who had been on risperidone for 6 months. Children, adolescents, and adults on risperidone all had very high levels of prolactin. The authors note that the study only had 10 children and is therefore small.
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A Prospective Open Trial of Guanfacine in Children with Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Summarized Jan 18, 2007

Guanfacine may help to treat hyperactivity in children with pervasive developmental disorder (PDD).

This article describes a prospective study. This means that the children were entered into the study and then given guanfacine in order to treat hyperactivity. The study found that children had 39% less hyperactivity and impulsive behavior when they were given the drug. This improvement was seen by parents and by teachers. Guanfacine also seemed to help with irritability, explosive behavior, repetitive movements (stereotypies), and social interaction. The authors suggest that guanfacine be used in children who do not respond to the drug methylphenidate.
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