Vitamin B6, magnesium, and combined B6-Mg: therapeutic effects in childhood autism

Biol Psychiatry. 1985 May;20(5):467-78. doi: 10.1016/0006-3223(85)90019-8.

Abstract

This article reports the behavioral, biochemical, and electrophysiological effects of four therapeutic crossed-sequential double-blind trials with 60 autistic children: Trial A--vitamin B6 plus magnesium/magnesium; Trial B--vitamin B6 plus magnesium; Trial C--magnesium; and Trial D--vitamin B6. Therapeutic effects were controlled using behavior rating scales, urinary excretion of homovanillic acid (HVA), and evoked potential (EP) recordings. The behavioral improvement observed with the combination vitamin B6-magnesium was associated with significant modifications of both biochemical and electrophysiological parameters: the urinary HVA excretion decreased, and EP amplitude and morphology seemed to be normalized. These changes were not observed when either vitamin B6 or magnesium was administered alone.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Controlled Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Autistic Disorder / drug therapy*
  • Autistic Disorder / psychology
  • Child
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Electroencephalography
  • Evoked Potentials / drug effects
  • Female
  • Homovanillic Acid / urine
  • Humans
  • Magnesium / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Pyridoxine / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Magnesium
  • Pyridoxine
  • Homovanillic Acid