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Improvement of autism spectrum disorder symptoms in three children by using gastrin-releasing peptide

Michele Michelin Becker1, Cleonice Bosa2, Vera Lorentz Oliveira-Freitas3

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Child Neurology Unit, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.

Jornal De Pediatria
|February 20, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Gastrin-releasing peptide shows promise for improving autism symptoms like social interaction and language in a small case series. Further research is needed to confirm these preliminary findings on autism spectrum disorder treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Pediatric Medicine
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) presents complex challenges in social interaction, communication, and behavior.
  • Current therapeutic options for ASD have limitations, necessitating exploration of novel treatment modalities.

Observation:

  • A case series investigated the safety and efficacy of gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) in three children diagnosed with ASD.
  • GRP was administered intravenously at 160 pmol/kg daily for four consecutive days, with treatment cycles repeated after a two-week interval.

Findings:

  • GRP was well-tolerated with no reported adverse effects in any of the participants.
  • Two children demonstrated improvements in social interaction, joint attention, and communication.
  • Reductions in repetitive behaviors (stereotypes) and enhancements in verbal language were observed in two participants.
  • One child experienced a significant reduction in a compulsive behavior (bathing).
  • Average reduction in Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) scores was 2.8 points.
  • Clinical Global Impression (CGI) scores indicated improvement in all three children, with one rated as 'much better' and two as 'minimally better'.

Implications:

  • These preliminary findings suggest that gastrin-releasing peptide may hold therapeutic potential for core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder.
  • The observed improvements in social, communicative, and behavioral domains warrant further investigation.
  • Larger, randomized, double-blinded clinical trials are essential to validate the efficacy and safety of GRP as an ASD treatment.
Abstract

Keywords:
AutismAutism spectrum disorderAutismoGastrin-releasing peptide receptorNeuropeptidesNeuropeptídiosReceptor do peptídeo liberador de gastrinaTranstorno do espectro autista

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