What Researchers Did
The researchers conducted a systematic review to identify and grade the evidence for novel and emerging treatments for autism spectrum disorders.
What They Found
The review identified several treatments with varying levels of evidence, assigning a Grade A (supported by at least 2 randomized controlled trials or 1 systematic review) to melatonin, acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, naltrexone, and music therapy. Grade B treatments (supported by at least 1 randomized controlled trial or 2 nonrandomized controlled trials) included carnitine, vitamin C, and oxytocin, among others. Up to 74% of children with autism spectrum disorders use these unconventional treatments.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients with autism spectrum disorders and their families often seek alternative treatments beyond the limited FDA-approved options. This review provides an evidence-based overview of various novel therapies, which can help inform discussions with healthcare providers about potential benefits and risks.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
The study is a systematic review, meaning its findings are dependent on the quality and availability of existing research, which may have inherent biases or limitations.