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Sulforaphane Treatment of Young Men with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Kanwaljit Singh, Andrew W Zimmerman1

  • 1UMass Memorial Medical Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 55 Lake Ave, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA. Andrew.Zimmerman@umassmemorial.org.

CNS & Neurological Disorders Drug Targets
|April 14, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Fever may improve behaviors in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) by altering cellular stress responses. Sulforaphane, a broccoli sprout compound, mimics this "fever effect" and shows promise in a clinical trial for young adults with ASD.

Area of Science:

  • Neurodevelopmental Disorders
  • Biochemistry
  • Clinical Trials

Background:

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition affecting at least 1% of children, characterized by behavioral and communication differences.
  • Febrile illness has been observed to improve behaviors in a subset of children with ASD, potentially linked to heat shock proteins (HSP) and cellular stress responses.
  • Sulforaphane, a phytochemical from cruciferous vegetables like broccoli sprouts, exhibits metabolic effects similar to fever.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To discuss the
  • fever effect
  • observed in Autism Spectrum Disorder.
  • To explore the intracellular effects of sulforaphane and its potential role in modulating cellular stress responses relevant to ASD.
  • To present findings from a recent clinical trial investigating sulforaphane in young adults with autism.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on the "fever effect" in ASD and the metabolic actions of sulforaphane.
  • Analysis of intracellular effects of sulforaphane, including its impact on heat shock proteins and cellular stress pathways.
  • Presentation and discussion of results from a clinical trial involving sulforaphane administration in young adults with ASD.

Main Results:

  • Observational studies suggest a correlation between febrile illness and behavioral improvements in some individuals with ASD.
  • Sulforaphane's metabolic properties resemble those of fever, indicating a potential therapeutic mechanism.
  • Preliminary clinical trial data on sulforaphane in young adults with autism are discussed, suggesting potential benefits.

Conclusions:

  • The
  • fever effect
  • in ASD warrants further investigation as a potential therapeutic avenue.
  • Sulforaphane presents a promising phytochemical intervention due to its ability to mimic fever-induced cellular changes.
  • Further research, including clinical trials, is crucial to validate the efficacy of sulforaphane for Autism Spectrum Disorder.

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