Chelation Therapy Drug Found Safe and Beneficial for Children With Autism
The Autism Research Institute calls for further investigations into the use of chelation therapy for individuals with autism
SAN DIEGO, Nov. 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Two studies
published by the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in the
October issue of BMC Clinical Pharmacology investigated the use of
oral dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA), a prescription medicine
approved by the FDA for treating lead poisoning, and used off-label
in these studies for treating heavy metal toxicity in children with
autism.
In the investigations, DMSA was given to 65 children with autism
(ages 3 -8 years) to determine its effects. The researchers found
that DMSA dramatically increased excretion of several toxic metals,
including a 10-fold increase in excretion of lead. In terms of
safety, the study found that there was no adverse effect on
standard safety tests, including no effect on kidney or liver
function.
Of greatest interest was a surprising finding that DMSA therapy
had a dramatic effect on glutathione levels. Glutathione is the
body's primary defense against toxic metals, and it was very
abnormal in children with autism. Treatment with DMSA for only 3
days normalized glutathione levels for at least 1-2 months in
almost all children.
DMSA therapy also had promising effects on possibly reducing
some of the symptoms of autism, including improvements in language,
cognition, and sociability. However, a formal randomized
double-blind placebo-controlled study is needed to confirm those
results.
The study was led by Matthew Baral, N.D., Chair of the
Department of Pediatric Medicine and Associate Professor of
Pediatrics at Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine (SCNM) and
James B. Adams, Ph.D., Adjunct Professor in the Division of
Clinical Sciences at SCNM and Science Director for the Autism
Research Institute.
"Toxic metals are a common problem in autism, and I have
personally observed that many of my patients with autism have
greatly benefited from DMSA therapy. I hope this data answers the
question that many physicians have: whether chelation is safe and
effective, and clearly it's both," says Dr. Matthew Baral. "This
study shows that DMSA therapy is safe and effective, and should be
considered as a possible treatment for children with autism who
have significant body burden of toxic metals," says Prof. James
Adams.
This study was funded, in part, by the Autism Research
Institute. To access the studies go to
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6904/9/16
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6904/9/17
Source: Autism Research Institute
CONTACT: James Adams, PhD, +1-480-965-3316, or Steve Edelson,
PhD,
+1-619-281-7165
Web Site: http://www.autism.com/
http://www.biomedcentral.com/
Posted: November 2009
