Autism Therapy: vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin)

definition of vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin): not yet defined.

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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.


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.


Neurometabolic Disorders and Dysfunction in Autism Spectrum Disorders
Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports, by Zecavati, N., and Spence SJ, published in 2009, summarized Apr 6, 2009

Future research may show that metabolic supplements such as carnitine, coenzyme Q, and/or vitamin B12 can help some children with autism.

This review article describes the role of energy use (metabolism) in autism. The authors describe how some metabolic disorders can give the symptoms of autism. There are no good studies that show how many children with autism have metabolic problems. The authors suggest that doctors look at each patient and decide whether or not to order metabolic tests. Some metabolic problems have simple treatments such as eating more cholesterol or taking biotin supplements.


Immune-Glutamatergic Dysfunction as a Central Mechanism of the Autism Spectrum Disorders
Current Medicinal Chemistry, by Blaylock, RL, and Strunecka A., published in 2009, summarized Mar 10, 2009

Vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin B12, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids may improve symptoms of autism.

Autism is a spectrum disease and research has shown that it is likely caused by many genes. This paper describes the idea that autism is caused by a problem with the glutamine chemical in the brain. The authors propose that if glutamine does not work well within the brain, then microglia cells in the brain may become active and secrete many factors that can harm the brain. These factors may then cause symptoms of autism in people who are at genetic risk for autism. Treatment approaches would include use of supplements and reduction of processed foods that have additives that contain glutamate and aspartate.

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTS AND COMPOUNDS, WHICH ARE KNOWN TO REDUCE EXCITOTOXICITY:
Methylcobalamin (vitamin B12)
Pyridoxal-5 phosphate (vitamin B6)
Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols)
Vitamin C (buffered)
CoQ10
Acetyl-L-carnitine
Alpha-lipoic acid
Magnesium glycinate or lactate
Zinc
Flavonoids

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTS AND COMPOUNDS, WHICH ARE KNOWN TO REDUCE MICROGLIAL ACTIVATION:
Ibupropen
Mincycline
Ferulic acid
DHEA
Curcumin
Quercetin
Silymarin
Baicalein
Resveratrol
DHA/EPA


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Small Study Shows that Oxytocin May Help Children with Autism

Feb 26, 2010

Results of a small, evidence-based study have shown that oxytocin may help children with autism. Thirteen young people with high-functioning autism or Asperger’s and 13 young neuro-typical people were all given small amounts of oxytocin. Scientists measured social responses to both ball tossing and identifying social cues in pictures of human faces; they also measured the amount of oxytocin in the blood. Oxytocin is hormone that helps in childbirth and breastfeeding, but also may be important in regulating emotions. There are studies that have shown that children with autism may have lower levels of oxytocin. The important and exciting thing about this new study is that the scientists are testing in a controlled and rigorous way. This means that parents will soon be able to make decisions for their children based on science and not merely anecdotal evidence. Other supplements undergoing controlled study include methyl B12, omega-3 fatty acids, and a drug for Alzheimer, Namenda.

Read original article: Oxytocin-Autism Study: The Kind of Evidence-Based Research Parents Need


Methyl-B12 May Be a Good Vitamin for Children with Autism

Apr 23, 2009

Dr. Jon Ahrendsen at the Wright Medical Center in Iowa has begun using Methyl-B12 as a supplement for children with autism. He learned about this vitamin therapy from Jodie Harker, parent of a patient with autism. She had heard about a New Jersey physician, Dr. James Neubrander, who is considered the "father" of Methyl-B12. Neubrander discovered that this vitamin may help with a defect of an enzyme that children with autism might have. Ahrendsen has used Methyl-B12 injections in 6-8 weeks trials and his patients' autism symptoms have improved. Harker says, "We were, and continue to be, amazed at the results and steady progress Chance is making. The Methyl-B12 treatment brought our son back."

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Mother Gives Every Therapy a Chance in Fight Against Autism

Feb 12, 2008

Jennifer Blaton of Shreveport, LA, like a lot of parents, will stop at nothing to help her daughter with autism. At the foundation of her daughter's treatment is a gluten- and casein-free diet; this appears to have made the biggest different in Darbee's integration. In addition, Blaton gives her daughter vitamin supplements including B12 and magnesium sulfate cream. Her daughter receives regular testing for the presence of heavy metals in her body as well as monthly intravenous chelation treatments. While Darbee is non-verbal, she makes straight As in school.

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    • Synonyms for vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) include: B12, cyanocobalamin, methyl-B12, methylcobalamin, vitamin B12
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