INOSITOL TREATMENT OF AUTISM

Recent studies suggest that serotonin reuptake inhibitors are helpful in at least some symptoms of autism. Inositol is a precursor of the se cond messenger for some serotonin receptors, and has been reported eff ective 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 biochem ical studies suggest that inositol may augment serotonin effects, futu re studies could evaluate inositol in children already receiving serot onin reuptake inhibitors.