Safety and efficacy of oral DMSA therapy for children with autism spectrum disorders: Part A--medical results.
BACKGROUND
This study investigated the effect of oral dimercapto succinic acid (DMSA) therapy for children with autism spectrum disorders ages 3-8 years.


METHODS
Phase 1 involved 65 children who received one round of DMSA (3 days). Participants who had high urinary excretion of toxic metals were selected to continue on to phase 2. In phase 2, 49 participants were randomly assigned in a double-blind design to receive an additional 6 rounds of either DMSA or placebo.


RESULTS
DMSA greatly increased the excretion of lead, substantially increased excretion of tin and bismuth, and somewhat increased the excretion of thallium, mercury, antimony, and tungsten. There was some increase in urinary excretion of essential minerals, especially potassium and chromium. The Phase 1 single round of DMSA led to a dramatic normalization of RBC glutathione in almost all cases, and greatly improved abnormal platelet counts, suggesting a significant decrease in inflammation.


CONCLUSIONS
Overall, DMSA therapy seems to be reasonably safe, effective in removing several toxic metals (especially lead), dramatically effective in normalizing RBC glutathione, and effective in normalizing platelet counts. Only 1 round (3 days) was sufficient to improve glutathione and platelets. Additional rounds increased excretion of toxic metals.
Division of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine, Tempe, AZ, USA. jim.adams@asu.edu
James B
JB
Adams
Matthew
M
Baral
Elizabeth
E
Geis
Jessica
J
Mitchell
Julie
J
Ingram
Andrea
A
Hensley
Irene
I
Zappia
Sanford
S
Newmark
Eva
E
Gehn
Robert A
RA
Rubin
Ken
K
Mitchell
Jeff
J
Bradstreet
Jane
J
El-Dahr
D000284:Administration, Oral; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000652:urine; D001772:Blood Cell Count / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005978:Glutathione / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008670:Metals / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D004113:Succimer / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D008670:Metals; D004113:Succimer; D005978:Glutathione