Autism Treatment - Low Dose Naltrexone For Autism

Low-dose naltrexone (LDN) is a medication that can be used to help with immune dysfunction and auto-immune diseases. Its success has been seen in cancer, AIDS, Crohn's, ulcerative colitis, Lyme disease, Multiple Sclerosis, chronic fatigue/fibromyalgia and any conditions related to allergies and inflammation. LDN has also been used with good results as an Autism treatment for individuals on the autism spectrum.

The main role of naltrexone is to block various opioid receptors. This is useful for individuals with opiate addiction such as heroin and morphine. However, with low dose naltrexone the partial blocking of opioid receptors is favorable because the body compensates by producing even more natural endorphins which help with immune function.

Opioids can act as cytokines - the main signal and communication network between cells of the immune system. Cytokines can modulate aspects of the immune system known as Th1 and Th2 - which are usually a problem in autism. Both aspects need to be in balance - but often, a dominant Th2 over Th1 is seen with some autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. The inability to mount an adequate Th1 response can lead to chronic infections and cancer, whereas a dominant Th2 response can trigger allergies and play a role in various auto-immune diseases. LDN has been shown to be an effective biomedical intervention to help bring balance for Th1 and Th2.

There is no known toxicity associated with LDN. It can be compounded into a transdermal cream that is applied at night. The benefits that I hear often from parents of children on the autism-spectrum as an autism treatment are improved sleep, better digestion, greater sense of awareness, and less irritability. Kids overall seem to be in a better mood. Maybe you should try low Dose Naltrexone as treatment for autism?