An open label trial was undertaken in 40 autistic children to determine whether treatment
with metabolic precursors methylcobalamin and folinic acid would improve plasma biomarkers of
oxidative stress and measures of core behavior using the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales
(VABS). Metabolites involved in methionine and glutathione synthesis and VABS behavior scores
were measured before and after a three month intervention period.
The results indicated that pre-treatment metabolites in autistic children were significantly
different from values in age-matched control children. The three month intervention resulted
in significant increases in cysteine, cysteinylglycine, and glutathione (GSH, p < 0.001). The
oxidized disulfide form of glutathione (GSSG) was decreased (p < 0.008) and the glutathione
redox ratio (GSH/GSSG) was increased after treatment (p < 0.001). Although significantly
improved, these metabolites remained below control levels after intervention (p > 0.01).
Similarly, increases in VABS composite score and sub-scores for Socialization, Communication,
and Daily Living Skills increased after treatment (p < 0.007) but also remained below
standard scores.