beta-endorphin levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and long-term naltrexone treatment in autistic children

We assessed the clinical and biological effects of high-dose, long-term Nal trexone (NTX) treatment in 11 children (3-11 years), who had been diagnosed as autistic. The drug was given following an open design, for 12 weeks. be ta-Endorphin (beta-END.) was assayed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells after 1 and 3 months of treatment, and 6 months after the completion of the course. Baseline beta-END levels were higher than in healthy age-matched c ontrols. In seven patients treatment reduced beta-END, whose levels rose in four children. Autistic symptoms were considerably attenuated in all cases , with functional improvements involving several areas. There was a close c orrelation between the reduction in beta-END levels and the decrease of soc ial withdrawal, and an evident - though weak - correlation between increase s in beta-END and decreases in stereotypy and abnormal speech. Both effects persisted after treatment stopped. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V./ECNP. Al l rights reserved.