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Effects of L-5-Hydroxytryptophan in autistic children

1978; Springer Science+Business Media; Volume: 8; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1007/bf01537866

2331-298X

Jeffrey Sverd, Samuel S. Kupietz, Bertrand G. Winsberg, Maria Hurwic, Laura Becker,

Autism Spectrum Disorder Research

Behavioral effects of L-5-Hydroxytryptophan (L-5-HTP), administered in combination with carbidopa, were evaluated in three autistic children using direct behavioral observation and parent ratings. Children were assessed under each of four experimental conditions: Baseline, Placebo I, L-5-HTP plus carbidopa, and Placebo II. During the 20-week study two children showed behavioral change that appeared to be unrelated to drug treatment. The findings did not support the hypothesis that a functional deficit in brain 5-HT underlies the autistic syndrome.