L-Carnitine Supplementation Improves the Behavioral Symptoms in Autistic Children

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    • Availability:
      Elsevier. 3251 Riverport Lane, Maryland Heights, MO 63043. Tel: 800-325-4177; Tel: 314-447-8000; Fax: 314-447-8033; e-mail: [email protected]; Web site: http://www.elsevier.com
    • Peer Reviewed:
      Y
    • Source:
      8
    • Subject Terms:
      Rating Scales; Drug Therapy; Autism; Behavior Problems; Children; Comparative Analysis; Symptoms (Individual Disorders); Scores; Metabolism; Correlation; Severity (of Disability)
    • Accession Number:
      10.1016/j.rasd.2012.07.006
    • ISSN:
      1750-9467
    • Abstract:
      L-Carnitine was proposed as a potential treatment for patients diagnosed with autism to ameliorate the behavioral symptoms associated with the disease. Thirty children diagnosed with autism were randomly assigned to receive (100 mg/kg bodyweight/day) of liquid L-carnitine (n = 16) or placebo (n = 14) for 6 months. Measurements included changes in childhood autism rating scale (CARS) form and free and total carnitine levels using tandem mass spectrometry. Results showed significant improvement in CARS scores (P-groups less than 0.001) and (P-overtime = 0.006), with statistically significant differences in free carnitine levels (P = 0.027) and total carnitine levels (P = 0.036). There was no correlation between baseline free and total carnitine levels with changes in CARS scores from zero to 6 months (r greater than 0.5, P greater than 0.05) and generally L-carnitine therapy was well tolerated. In conclusion, L-carnitine therapy (100 mg/kg bodyweight/day) administered for 6 months significantly improved the autism severity, but subsequent studies are recommended. (Contains 9 tables.)
    • Abstract:
      As Provided
    • Publication Date:
      2013
    • Accession Number:
      EJ1006134