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Use of lactulose in the treatment of autism

a technology of lactulose and autism, which is applied in the field of autism treatment, can solve the problems of increased or high ammonia concentration in the blood stream, potential neurotoxic state, and lactulose has not been used as a treatment for autism or autism prevention. it can prevent the buildup of ammonia

Inactive Publication Date: 2008-07-03
CUREMARK
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a treatment for autism that addresses the physiological symptoms of the disorder. The treatment works by preventing the build up of ammonia in the gastrointestinal tract, the bloodstream, and the nervous system. It reverses the effects of ammonia poisoning on the gastrointestinal tract, the bloodstream, and the nervous system caused by certain antibiotics. Lactulose is used to bind ammonia in the gastrointestinal tract, the bloodstream, and the nervous system.

Problems solved by technology

Increased or high levels of ammonia in the blood stream can produce toxicity to the cells of the body especially to the cells of the nervous system.
The increased levels of ear infections in children with autism and the use of Augmentin® to treat these and other infections makes the child vulnerable to the potential buildup of ammonia in the digestive system as well as the blood, thus leading to a potential neurotoxic state.
However, lactulose has not previously been used as a treatment for autism or autism prevention.
Behavioral treatments, such as applied behavioral analysis and TEACCH (Treatment and Education of Autistic and related Communication Handicapped Children) and others, have some value in the treatment of these children but do not address the physiological, specifically gastrointestinal, problems encountered by them.

Method used

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  • Use of lactulose in the treatment of autism
  • Use of lactulose in the treatment of autism
  • Use of lactulose in the treatment of autism

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Experimental program
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Embodiment Construction

[0015]Lactulose is a semisynthetic disaccharide comprised of the sugars D-galactose and D-fructose. It is not found naturally. The sugars are joined by a beta glycosidic linkage making it resistant to hydrolysis by human digestive enzymes. There is no disaccharidase in the microvillus membrane of small intestine enterocytes that can hydrolyze lactulose; nor is the disaccharide absorbed from the small intestine. Lactulose is, however, fermented by a limited number of colonic bacteria. This can lead to changes in the colonic ecosystem in favor of some bacteria, such as lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, which may confer some health benefits.

[0016]Lactulose is a solid substance that is very soluble in water and has a sweet taste. It is sweeter than lactose but not as sweet as fructose. Lactulose is also known as 4-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-D-fructofuranose. Its molecular formula is C12H22O11, and its molecular weight is 342.30 daltons. The structural formula is:

[0017]Lactulose has an inh...

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Abstract

A treatment for autism in which an effective amount of lactulose is administered in order to bind excess ammonia in the gastrointestinal tract, the bloodstream, and the nervous system in order to prevent or reverse ammonia poisoning caused by the administration of certain antibiotics. Lactulose molecules in the colon are fermented by certain bacteria. The fermentation process lowers the colonic pH, and ammonia, in the form of ammonium ions, is used by the bacteria for amino acid and protein synthesis. This lowers the serum ammonia levels and reduces neurotoxicity.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 712,551, filed Aug. 30, 2005. This application is herein incorporated in its entirety by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The invention relates to a treatment for autism, and more particularly, to the use of lactulose in the treatment of autism.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Autism is the most prevalent of a subset of disorders organized under the umbrella of pervasive developmental disorder (PDD). Autism is a serious developmental disorder characterized by profound deficits in language, communication, and socialization, resistance to learning, and displays of stereotypical behavior including perseveration. Known now as a spectrum disorder (ASD), it includes a myriad of behavioral, emotional, and physiological symptoms. Autism is a life-long developmental disorder affecting as many as 1 in 500 children. Recent studies have indicated that the prevalence is closer to 1 in 166 li...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): A61K31/7016A61P43/00
CPCA61K31/045A61K31/7016A61K31/7012A61P1/00A61P3/00A61P25/00A61P43/00A61K31/047
Inventor FALLON, JOAN M.FELTENSTEIN, RICHARD
Owner CUREMARK
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