Griff wrote:
The gluten-free diet scheme seems to be effective for some. If so, part of the problem might be rooted in the autie body producing excessive opioids. Glutamate serves the production of morphine-like drugs. If we're running around behaving as if we're wigged out on poppies, little wonder that we're perceived as strange. By the same reasoning, one would figure that we would benefit from the use of a drug designed to inhibit them.
That's been tried several times before, with mixed results. For those who care to look at the results, one study was reported in the following article (naltrexone potently blocks the receptors for opioids in the brain, decreasing their effect):
Willemsen-Swinkels SH, Buitelaar JK, van Engeland H.
Biol Psychiatry. 1996 Jun 15;39(12):1023-31.
Abstract:
Quote:
In a double-blind placebo-controlled crossover trial 23 autistic children, aged 3-7 years, were treated with a mean daily dosage of 1 mg/kg naltrexone for 4 weeks. Drug effects were monitored with behavior checklists rated by parents and teachers, and ethological playroom observations. On average, parents' checklists and playroom data could not differentiate between naltrexone treatment and placebo treatment; however, teachers significantly favored naltrexone treatment. They reported a decrease in hyperactivity and irritability. No effects of naltrexone on social and stereotypic behavior could be demonstrated.
So basically, nobody except the teachers noticed a difference between the active and placebo groups, and even with the teachers the difference was limited to decreased hyperactivity and irritability. There are other studies reporting different results that you can find, but none of them seem really conclusive. Overall, I don't think excess opioids are the source of autistic traits.
23 Dec 2006, 7:52 am
