The problems and issues addressed by vitamin and mineral supplements include malabsorption (intestinal disorders and chronic gastrointestinal inflammation may reduce the absorption of essential nutrients and cause disruptions in immune and general metabolic functions that are dependent upon these essential vitamins) problems and nutritional deficiencies;low levels of vitamins A, B1, B3, and B5, as well as biotin, selenium, zinc, and magnesium;an elevated serum copper to plasma zinc ratio (benefit arise by avoiding copper and taking extra zinc to boost the immune system); and low calcium.
Vitamin B has been used with magnesium to decrease behavioral problems, improve eye contact, increase attention span, and help improve learning.Cod liver oil supplements (rich in vitamins A and D) have resulted in improved eye contact and behavior of children with autism.Vitamin C helps in brain function and deficiency symptoms like depression and confusion. Increasing vitamin C has been shown in a clinical trial to improve symptom severity in children with ASD.
That is about it for info on vitamin and mineral treatments for now, but I may do more research on this topic and either add to this post or make a separate one with more detailed research results.
Coming up in my next post: Dietary Interventions
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Sunday, June 29, 2008
First Treatment Method: Medications
I would like to start by stating that I personally am against using medication to treat autism unless the person is so severe that he/she cannot function without it (unable to care for self by eating, bathing, etc.).
The Autism Society of America lists several drugs that have been used to treat autism. The behaviors being addressed by medication includehyperactivity, impulsivity, attention difficulties, and anxiety.
The drugsclomipramine (Anafranil), fluvoxamine (Luvox) and fluoxetine (Prozac) have all been used to treatdepression, obsessive-compulsive behaviors and anxiety. These behaviors are sometimes present in people with autism. It is believed these drugs can potentially reverse some of the symptoms of serotonin dysregulation in autism.
Some other drugs that have not been studied as much as the last three are believed to possibly play a role in treating behavioral symptoms and includeElavil, Wellbutrin, Valium, Ativan and Xanax.
Anti-psychotic medications originally designed to treat schizophreniahave been found to decrease hyperactivity, stereotypical behaviors, withdrawal, and aggression in individuals with autism. The main four that have been approved by the FDAare Clozapine (Clozaril), Risperidone (Risperdal), Olanzapine (Zyprexa) and Quetiapine (Seroquel). Risperidone has been approved specifically to treat Autism.
A few other drugs have been shown to increase focus and decrease impulsivity and hyperactivity in autism, especially in children who are not as severe as others. They includeRitalin, Adderall and Dexedrine.
In closing,"Increased use of medications to treat autism spectrum disorders has highlighted the need for more studies of these drugs in children. The National Institute of Mental Health has established a network of Research Units on Pediatric Psychopharmacology (RUPPs) that combines expertise in psychopharmacology and psychiatry."
Coming up in my next blog: Vitamin and Mineral treatments
The Autism Society of America lists several drugs that have been used to treat autism. The behaviors being addressed by medication includehyperactivity, impulsivity, attention difficulties, and anxiety.
The drugsclomipramine (Anafranil), fluvoxamine (Luvox) and fluoxetine (Prozac) have all been used to treatdepression, obsessive-compulsive behaviors and anxiety. These behaviors are sometimes present in people with autism. It is believed these drugs can potentially reverse some of the symptoms of serotonin dysregulation in autism.
Some other drugs that have not been studied as much as the last three are believed to possibly play a role in treating behavioral symptoms and includeElavil, Wellbutrin, Valium, Ativan and Xanax.
Anti-psychotic medications originally designed to treat schizophreniahave been found to decrease hyperactivity, stereotypical behaviors, withdrawal, and aggression in individuals with autism. The main four that have been approved by the FDAare Clozapine (Clozaril), Risperidone (Risperdal), Olanzapine (Zyprexa) and Quetiapine (Seroquel). Risperidone has been approved specifically to treat Autism.
A few other drugs have been shown to increase focus and decrease impulsivity and hyperactivity in autism, especially in children who are not as severe as others. They includeRitalin, Adderall and Dexedrine.
In closing,"Increased use of medications to treat autism spectrum disorders has highlighted the need for more studies of these drugs in children. The National Institute of Mental Health has established a network of Research Units on Pediatric Psychopharmacology (RUPPs) that combines expertise in psychopharmacology and psychiatry."
Coming up in my next blog: Vitamin and Mineral treatments
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