Abstract
As the treatability of the syndrome of autism becomes more possible there is a great deal more interest in the effectiveness of various therapies. Although the very influential nonmedical literature cited in the Autism Research Review International Newsletter finds that dimethylglycine (DMG) is regarded as more effective than the usual psychopharmacologic drugs, there have been no studies of DMG using the currently accepted research methodology. We report a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover pilot study of low dose DMG and placebo in a sample of eight autistic males ranging in age from 4 years 5 months to 30 years 8 months, who completed the full 3 1/2-month study consisting of drug-free baseline periods at the beginning, end, and in-between two, 1-month double-blind trials in which DMG or placebo was given. Measures included the Campbell–NIMH rating scale, an experimental rating scale, and an individualized scale created for each child. Analysis of all three scales revealed no statistically significant differences, and parent reports were equally distributed. The major methodologic weaknesses of the study are thought to be the low dosage of DMG and the small sample size.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
REFERENCES
The Advocate, Newsletter of the Autism Society of America. (1992). Vol. 2, p. 27
Balliet, M. (1992). Letters to the Editor: B6, magnesium and DMG. Autism Research Review International, 6(2), 6.
Campbell M., & Palij, M. (1985). Behavioral and cognitive mesures used in psychopharmacological studies of infantile autism. The Children's Psychiatric Rating Scale (CPRS). Psychopharmacology Bulletin, 21, 1047–1050.
Cohen, D. J., & Volkmar, F. R. (Eds.). (1997). Handbook of autism and pervasive developmental disorders (2nd ed.). New York: Wiley.
Dawson G., & Osterling J. (1997). Early intervention in autism In M. J. Guralnick (Ed.), The effectiveness of early intervention (pp. 307–326). Baltimore, Paul H Brookes.
Doerfel, K. S. (1995). Letters to the Editor: Vitamin B6/DMG. Autism Research Review International, 9(2), 7.
Dunn, K. L. (1990). Letters to the Editor: DMG and vitamin B6. Autism Research Review International, 4(4), 7.
Gascon, G., Patterson, B., Yearwood K., & Slotnick, H. (1989). N,N-dimethylglycine and epilepsy. Epilepsia, 30(1), 90–93.
Gibbs, L. (1996). Letters to the Editor: B6 safety fear; DMG. Autism Research Review International, 10(3), 7.
Gillberg, C. (1991). Outcome in autism and autistic-like conditions. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 30, 375–382.
Grandin, T., & Scariano, M. M. (1986). Emergence: Labeled autistic (p. 141). Novato, CA: Arena.
Hart, D. (1992). Letters to the Editor: B6, magnesium and DMG. Autism Research Review International, 6(2), 6.
Jelen, N. (1991). Letters to the Editor: More on B6 and DMG. Autism Research Review International, 5(2), 7.
Joss, L. (1991). Letters to the Editor: More on B6 and DMG. Autism Research Review International, 5(2), 7.
Kutzin A. (1992). Letters to the Editor: DMG, B6 successes Autism Research Review International, 6(1), 6–7
Los Angeles attorney. (1993). Letters to the Editor: DMG. Autism Research Review International, 7(1), 7.
McBain, C. J., & Mayer, M. L. (1994). N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor structure and function. Physiological Reviews, 74, 723–760.
McDougle, C. J. (1997). Psychopharmacology. In D. J. Cohen & F. R. Volkmar (Eds.), Handbook of autism and pervasive developmental disorders (pp. 707–729). New York, Wiley.
Monihan, M. (1990). Letters to the Editor: DMG. Autism Research Review International, 6(3), 6.
New York mother. (1992). Letters to the Editor: More success with DMG, B6. Autism Research Review International, 6(4), 6.
O'Reilly, B. (1991) Letters to the Editor: DMG. Autism Research Review International, 5(3), 7.
Paul, I. A., Nowak, G., Layer, R. T., Popik, P., & Skolnick, P. (1994). Adaptation of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor complex following chronic antidepressant treatments. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, 269, 95–102.
Price, M. L. (1996). Letters to the Editor: Megavitamin/DMG therapy. Autism Research Review International, 10(4), 7.
Reznek, K. (1993). Letters to the Editor: DMG. Autism Research Review International, 7(2), 6.
Rimland, B. (1990). Dimethylglycine (DMG), a nontoxic metabolite, and autism. Autism Research Review International, 4(2), 3.
Schultz, N. (1992). Letters to the Editor: DMG, B6 successes. Autism Research Review International, 6(1), 6–7
Stittgen, S. (1990). Letters to the Editor: DMG and vitamin B6. Autism Research Review International, 4(4), 7.
Turuba, R. (1994). Letters to the Editor: B6/DMG. Autism Research Review International, 8(4), 7.
Valentine, S. (1993). Letters to the Editor: DMG. Autism Research Review International, 7(3), 6.
Venables, D., & Venables, P. (1994). Letters to the Editor: B6/DMG. Autism Research Review International, 8(4), 7.
Zhivago, K. (1993). Letters to the Editor: DMG. Autism Research Review International, 7(1), 7.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bolman, W.M., Richmond, J.A. A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Pilot Trial of Low Dose Dimethylglycine in Patients with Autistic Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 29, 191–194 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023023820671
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023023820671