β-Endorphin levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and long-term naltrexone treatment in autistic children

• Published in: European neuropsychopharmacology 1999-06, Vol.9 (4), p.361-366
• Main Authors: Guareschi Cazzullo, Adriana, Musetti, Maria Cristina, Musetti, Laura, Bajo, Sonia, Sacerdote, Paola, Panerai, Alberto
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Autism; Autistic Disorder - drug therapy; Autistic Disorder - metabolism; Behavioural improvement; beta-Endorphin - metabolism; Child; Child, Preschool; Cognition - drug effects; Humans; Leukocytes, Mononuclear - drug effects; Leukocytes, Mononuclear - metabolism; Naltrexone; Naltrexone - pharmacology; Naltrexone - therapeutic use; Narcotic Antagonists - pharmacology; Narcotic Antagonists - therapeutic use; Stereotyped Behavior - drug effects; β-Endorphin
• ISSN: 0924-977X; 1873-7862
• DOI: 10.1016/S0924-977X(99)00010-3

We assessed the clinical and biological effects of high-dose, long-term Naltrexone (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. β-Endorphin (β-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 β-END levels were higher than in healthy age-matched controls. In seven patients treatment reduced β-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 correlation between the reduction in β-END levels and the decrease of social withdrawal, and an evident – though weak – correlation between increases in β-END and decreases in stereotypy and abnormal speech. Both effects persisted after treatment stopped.