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