A new study on autism shows that poor stomach absorption in people with this disorder might make medications less effective.
Past researches have shown that people with autism experience gastrointestinal symptoms that could possibly control the absorption of medications. According to the researchers of this study, approximately 35 percent of people with autism take at least one psychotropic medication to help control their symptoms.
"Admittedly, there are a number of variables that can influence medication response but given how common gastrointestinal issues are for those with autism, it seems the relationship should be examined more closely," senior author Dr. Maria Valdovinos, said in a press release.
Researchers state that further research is required to find out more about the potential connection between gastrointestinal symptoms and the success of autism medications. If gastrointestinal symptoms do limit medication effectiveness, other methods of drug administration are needed to boost successful therapy rates.
A recent study by the Columbia University Medical Center showed that autistic children have more synapses in brain. Synapses are the points at which neurons connect and communicate; excess synapses could have a significant effect on how the brain functions. "This is an important finding that could lead to a novel and much-needed therapeutic strategy for autism," said Jeffrey Lieberman, MD, Lawrence C. Kolb Professor and Chair of Psychiatry at CUMC and director of New York State Psychiatric Institute, who was not involved in the study. Synapses are extremely affected by a number of genes linked to autism.
The findings of the current are published in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.
