A preliminary trial of ascorbic acid as supplemental therapy for autism

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Abstract

Dolske, Michelle Cobb, John Spollen, Sean McKay, Elizabeth Lancashire and Lelland Tolbert: A Preliminary Trial of Ascorbic Acid as Supplemental Therapy for Autism. Prog. NEuro. Psychopharmacol. & Biol. Psychiat. 1993, 17(5): 765–774.

  • 1.

    1. This study presents the results of a 30-week double-blind, placebo-controlled trial exploring the effectiveness of ascorbic acid (8 g/70kg/day) as a supplemental pharmacological treatment for autistic children in residental treatment.

  • 2.

    2. Residential school children (N=18) were randomly assigned to either ascorbate-ascorbate-placebo treatment order group or ascorbate-placebo-ascorbate treatment order group. Each treatment phase lasted 10 weeks and behaviors were rated weekly using the Ritvo-Freeman scale.

  • 3.

    3. Significant group by phase interactions were found for total scores and also sensory motor scores indicating a reduction in symptom severity associated with the ascorbic add treatment.

  • 4.

    4. These results were consistent with a hypothesized dopaminergic mechanism of action of ascorbic acid.

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    Copyright © 1993 Published by Elsevier Inc.