title: A preliminary trial of ascorbic acid as supplemental therapy for autism.
abstract: 1. This study presents the results of a 30-week double-blind, placebo-controlled trial exploring the effectiveness of ascorbic acid (8g/70kg/day) as a supplemental pharmacological treatment for autistic children in residential treatment. 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. 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 acid treatment. 4. These results were consistent with a hypothesized dopaminergic mechanism of action of ascorbic acid.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Alabama at Birmingham.
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Dolske
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Spollen
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: McKay
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lancashire
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tolbert
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
chemical_list: D001205:Ascorbic Acid