Abstract | BACKGROUND: MATERIAL/METHODS: Thirty subjects diagnosed with an ASD were randomly assigned to receive a standardized regimen (50 mg L-carnitine/kg bodyweight/day) of liquid L-carnitine (n=19) or placebo (n=11) for 3-months. Measures included changes in professionally completed Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), hand muscle testing, and modified clinical global impression (CGI) forms; parent completed Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC), treatment adherence measurement (TAM), frequency and intensity of side effect rating (FISER)/global rating of side effect burden (GRSEB)/patient report of incidence of side effects (PRISE) forms; and lab testing. RESULTS: Significant improvements were observed in CARS (-2.03, 95% CI=-3.7 to -0.31), CGI (-0.69, 95% CI=-1.1 to -0.06), and ATEC scores. Significant correlations between changes in serum free- carnitine levels and positive clinical changes were observed for hand muscle strength (R2=0.23, P=0.046), cognitive scores (R2=0.27, P=0.019), and CARS scores (R2=0.20, P=0.047). Study subjects were protocol-compliant (average adherence was >85%) and generally well-tolerated the L-carnitine therapy given. CONCLUSIONS:
L-carnitine therapy (50 mg/kilogram-bodyweight/day) administered for 3-months significantly improved several clinical measurements of ASD severity, but subsequent studies are recommended.
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Authors | David A Geier, Janet K Kern, Georgia Davis, Paul G King, James B Adams, John L Young, Mark R Geier |
Journal | Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research
(Med Sci Monit)
Vol. 17
Issue 6
Pg. PI15-23
(Jun 2011)
ISSN: 1643-3750 [Electronic] United States |
PMID | 21629200
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Carnitine
(blood, chemistry, therapeutic use)
- Child
- Child Development Disorders, Pervasive
(blood, drug therapy, physiopathology)
- Child, Preschool
- Cognition
(physiology)
- Cohort Studies
- Double-Blind Method
- Female
- Humans
- Male
- Placebos
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