Researchers Boost Cholesterol To Treat Autism

Researchers Boost Cholesterol To Treat Autism

POSTED: Friday, April 15, 2011

COLUMBUS -- Researchers at the Ohio State University Nisonger Center are expanding research to see if boosting cholesterol levels could help ease the symptoms of autism.

“Up until a few years ago, I thought of cholesterol as being a bad thing,” said Dr. L. Eugene Arnold, the principal investigator. “I mean, we spend a lot of money on a lot of treatments to try to reduce cholesterol. But then I realized that it's kind of like blood pressure -- too much is bad for you. But if you don't have enough, that could also be bad.”

To much cholesterol is bad for the heart, but not enough can affect brain development and function.

“There is a great tendency for children with autism to have cholesterol below the normal range,” said Arnold. “In fact, it appears to be twice as much from our preliminary look, at what we've screened so far.”

To better understand the potential link between autism and low cholesterol, researchers at Ohio State University Medical Center teamed up with the National Institutes of Health. In a randomized, double-blind study, doctors will enroll children with autism between the ages of 4-11 who have lower levels of cholesterol. For 12 weeks, half of the children will be given extra cholesterol to see if it helps ease their symptoms.

"It's possible that too-low cholesterol could be one of several causes of autism, affecting a subgroup of children with autism," said Arnold.

One family said the treatment has already helped their 5-year-old daughter.

WATCH: Doctors Boost Cholestorol To Treat Autism

“Rose was about 18 months old when we started noticing almost a digression of skills” said Rose's mother, Angela Barker. “She started losing eye contact; she never did begin to talk; her motor skills seemed to decline. She never hugged me or kissed me until she was 3.”

Rose Barker was part of the first round of studies involving cholesterol. The Barkers added small packets of cholesterol to Rose's yogurt twice a day.

“Personally, for us, the cholesterol has changed our life, said Angela Barker. “It was exactly what she needed. Her development started almost immediately. She smiles again; she runs; she has awesome motor skills. She can keep up with her siblings; she can learn; she can write her name. It's truly, truly, truly been life-changing.”

"The nice thing about this is that we can do a test, a blood test, to find out if a youngster is likely to respond to this particular treatment," said Arnold.

But researchers have a word of caution for parents.

"It's important that we not just rush out and try to give everybody with autism cholesterol, because for some of them it may be harmful," said Arnold.

For additional information about the current study at Ohio State, contact Stacey Moone at 614-292-3971 or email Stacey.Moone@osumc.edu.


Copyright 2011 by ClickOnDetroit.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.