Parasitic Worms or Hot Baths may Provide New Autism Treatments

It might not sound like the most conventional treatment, but a recent study shows that researchers are in the early stages of testing out some early treatments for autism disorder that involve well, hot baths and parasitic worms? You heard correctly.

In a series of early clinical trials, researchers used parasitic worm eggs to trigger anti-inflammatory signals in the gut to help raise the body temperature, thus mimicking the effects of an infection. This lessened the repetitive behaviors and other symptoms of the disorders, according to scientists. However, these effects must be replicated before treatments can be considered both safe and effective.

"All three studies are interesting and merit further investigation," said Dr. Andrew Adesman, chief of developmental and behavioral pediatrics at Steven & Alexandra Cohen Children's Medical Center of New York in New Hyde Park, who was not involved in the studies, via Mother Nature News. "To what extent they can lead to clinical treatment is unclear."

Previous studies have suggested that using parasitic worm eggs have helped treat autoimmune diseases, such as Crohn's disease. Anecdotal reports have also suggested that that Trichura suis ova (TSO), a pig parasite, is generally considered harmless.

According to Dr. Eric Hollander, a clinical psychiatrist at Alebert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, conducted a trial involving five high-functioning young adults with the condition who were randomly assigned to drink a dose of worm eggs mixed in saltwater solution. Other participants were given a placebo throughout a three-month period. Following a one-month period of no treatment, each group received the opposite drink for three months.

The study showed a decrease in repetitive behaviors during the time that individuals received the worm treatment, according to preliminary results from five of the patients that Hollander presented today at a meeting of the American College of Neurospychopharmacology.

However, patients did not show improvements in social or communication skills, and the treatment has not been approved by the FDA at this time.

"Clearly more work needs to be done, but this offers a new avenue for treatments," he concludes, via Live Science. 

What do you think?