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[A Multi-arm Placebo-controlled Study with Glutamic Acid Conducted in Rostock in 1953/1954]

Frank Häßler1, Steffen Weirich2

  • 1Tagesklinik für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie der GGP Dierkower Str. 14 18146 Rostock Deutschland Tagesklinik für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie der GGP.

Praxis Der Kinderpsychologie Und Kinderpsychiatrie
|March 21, 2018
PubMed

Insights

This 1950s study found glutamic acid had limited benefits for children with intellectual disabilities, sometimes worsening symptoms like restlessness and stuttering. Vitamin B showed some positive effects on concentration.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Clinical Pharmacology

Background:

  • Glutamic acid was widely used for intellectually disabled children in the 1950s.
  • Previous observations suggested potential benefits of glutamic acid.
  • A placebo-controlled study was warranted to evaluate its efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of glutamic acid on children with speech problems attending a special needs school.
  • To compare glutamic acid with Vitamin B and St.-John's wort in this population.

Main Methods:

  • A multi-arm, placebo-controlled study involving 58 children with speech problems.
  • Participants received either glutamic acid, vitamin B, or St.-John's wort.
  • Original study protocols were utilized for data analysis.

Main Results:

  • Glutamic acid showed minor improvements in attention in a few cases but increased restlessness and stuttering in others.
  • Most children receiving glutamic acid reported weight loss.
  • Vitamin B improved concentration, while St.-John's wort caused adverse effects (headache, vomiting) in most participants.

Conclusions:

  • The study suggests limited efficacy and potential adverse effects of glutamic acid in treating speech problems in intellectually disabled children.
  • The findings contrast with the generally overestimated effects of glutamic acid during that era.
  • Vitamin B demonstrated some positive impact on concentration in this cohort.

Keywords:
Glutamic acidGlutaminsäureIntelligenzminderungRostocker Studieintellectual disabilitystudy in Rostock

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