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Inositol treatment of autism

Journal of Neural Transmission volume 104, pages 307–310 (1997)Cite this article

Summary

Recent studies suggest that serotonin reuptake inhibitors are helpful in at least some symptoms of autism. Inositol is a precursor of the second messenger for some serotonin receptors, and has been reported effective in depression, panic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. However a controlled double-blind crossover trial of inositol 200 mg/kg per day showed no benefit in 9 children with autism. Since biochemical studies suggest that inositol may augment serotonin effects, future studies could evaluate inositol in children already receiving serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

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Author notes

  1. R. H. Belmaker

    Present address: Ministry of Health Mental Health Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheva, Israel

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Abarbanel Mental Health Center, Bat Yam

    J. Levine, A. Holan, A. Ring & Y. Barak

  2. Child Diagnosis and Rehabilitation Center, Edith Wolfson Medical Center, Holon

    A. Aviram

Authors
  1. J. Levine
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  2. A. Aviram
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  3. A. Holan
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  4. A. Ring
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  5. Y. Barak
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  6. R. H. Belmaker
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Cite this article

Levine, J., Aviram, A., Holan, A. et al. Inositol treatment of autism. J. Neural Transmission 104, 307–310 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01273191

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01273191

Keywords

  • Autism
  • inositol
  • controlled study