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The effect of high doses of vitamin B6 on autistic children: a double-blind crossover study
The American Journal of Psychiatry
|April 1, 1978
Insights
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) supplementation showed potential benefits for autistic children. Withdrawal of vitamin B6 led to significant behavioral deterioration in a double-blind study, suggesting its importance for these patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Nutritional Psychiatry
- Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
Background:
- Previous nonblind studies suggested vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) may improve behavior in some children with autism.
- Identifying specific subgroups of autistic children who respond to vitamin B6 is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To rigorously evaluate the efficacy of vitamin B6 supplementation in autistic children who previously showed improvement.
- To determine the effects of vitamin B6 withdrawal on behavior in a double-blind, placebo-controlled setting.
Main Methods:
- A double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted with 16 autistic child outpatients.
- Vitamin B6 supplements were systematically replaced with either vitamin B6 or a placebo during two separate trial periods.
- Behavioral changes were objectively rated throughout the study.
Main Results:
- Behavioral ratings significantly deteriorated when vitamin B6 supplementation was withdrawn.
- This indicates a potential dependency or crucial role of vitamin B6 in maintaining behavioral stability in this subgroup.
Conclusions:
- Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) appears to be important for behavioral regulation in a subset of children with autism.
- Further research is warranted to understand the mechanisms and optimize the use of vitamin B6 for autism.
Abstract:
The authors used data from an earlier nonblind study to identify 16 autistic-type child outpatients who had apparently improved when given vitamin B6 (pyridoxine). In a double-blind study each child's B6 supplement was replaced during two separate experimental trial periods with either a B6 supplement or a matched placebo. Behavior was rated as deteriorating significantly during the B6 withdrawal.
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