Carnosine For Autism – Research into the Benefits & Side Effects

Currently, there is insufficient reliable evidence to rate the use of carnosine for autism. Preliminary data suggests that L-carnosine may have benefits for adults and children with autism, but more research is needed to determine efficacy.

Autism and ASD (autism spectrum disorder) are blanket terms for a class of brain development disorders. Both are marked by ineffective communication, poor social skills and/or repetition of certain behaviors.

Carnosine is a dipeptide that is concentrated primarily inside skeletal muscles and the brain. The brain uses it to inhibit protein cross-linking, protein glycation, oxidation and excitotoxic reactions.

Carnosine demonstrates antiglycation, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, metal-chelating and other properties which may provide novel approaches to preventing and/or treating autism and ASD – as well as certain other neurological/neurodegenerative disorders.

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Neuroprotective Effects of Carnosine

Research has shown that carnosine can improve the functioning capacities of the frontal lobe. Carnosine has also demonstrated multiple neuroprotective effects.

As it does throughout the body, carnosine works inside the brain to protect endothelial cells. Endothelium is the inside lining of the blood vessels – and maintaining endothelial function is imperative for health.

Using carnosine for autism can help to protect the brain’s circulatory vessels from damages occurring from neurotoxins like alcohol, lipid oxidation and the effects of amyloid beta.

Amyloid beta is a term used to denote certain peptides which are associated with developing inner-brain plaque formations common in Alzheimer’s patients.

Carnosine and Protein Glycation

Using carnosine for autism helps to prevent glycation, which is a form of damage in the body that has been linked to aging and neurodegenerative diseases.

Research shows that carnosine is a potent antiglycation agent. Protein glycation is a process by which sugars attach to protein molecules. This makes them adhesive and prone to bind to other protein strands. This is called protein cross-linking.

When cross-linking occurs, both protein strands are likely to become dysfunctional or nonfunctional. These dysfunctional proteins are then called AGEs (advanced glycation end products).

As AGEs accumulate, they may cause dysfunction throughout all systems of the body. AGEs are well-established contributors to disease prevalence associated with aging.

AGEs also cause chronic complications in diabetes patients; leading to nephropathy (kidney dysfunction), retinopathy (eye/vision dysfunction), neuropathy (nerve dysfunction) and/or vasculopathy (blood vessel dysfunction).

Taking carnosine for autism induces a wide spectrum of biologic and neurologic activities which may be effective for preventing and/or treating various diseases and ailments.

In the past, research was limited concerning the effects of carnosine. Today, carnosine is being explored not only for its potentials against ASD; but also for combating cancer, heart disease, obesity, diabetes mellitus, kidney disease and multiple other conditions.

Carnosine for Autism and ASD

Since 2013, the DSM-5 manual has grouped several autism-related conditions under the term “autism spectrum disorder”. Disorders covered in ASD include childhood disintegrative disorder, autistic disorder, Asperger syndrome and PDD-NOS (pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified).

Human research has addressed the effectiveness of using carnosine for autism. In one double-blind study that lasted 8 weeks, 800 mg daily L-carnosine doses were administered to children with ASD. It was administered orally prior to eating a meal.

Several performance scales were used to quantify the changes in the treatment group relative to a placebo group. The Gilliam Autism Rating scale showed improvements in socialization, communication and behavior markers.

Receptive One-Word Picture Vocabulary test scores also improved significantly. No clinically significant improvements were noted in children from the placebo group.

The precise mechanisms of action of using carnosine for autism are not well understood yet. Some researchers believe that carnosine enhances functioning in the temporal cortex and/or the entorhinal cortex.

Research shows that brain and gut tissues in autism patients are hypersensitive to oxidative trauma. Carnosine may also work against autism by increasing antioxidant protection.

ASD is correlated with oxidative stress markers including impeded cholinergics, poor energetics, excessive excitotoxicity and high levels of free radical production.

Carnosine for Autism Side Effects

Proper dietary supplementation with carnosine for autism is not associated with any adverse effects. However, the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database states that there is not enough data to draw safety conclusions on.

In the study mentioned above involving children with ASD, more than one treatment group subject exhibited sporadic hyperactivity. This side effect was remedied by reducing the dosage amount given daily for the remainder of the study.

400 mg daily doses of carnosine have also been used in conjunction with 50 IU of vitamin E against autism. Vitamin E is also a known antioxidant and neuroprotective agent. Small amounts of zinc (5 mg) are also believed to enhance activation of intracellular carnosine.

Conclusions

Preliminary research seems promising concerning using carnosine for autism spectrum disorder. Carnosine demonstrates multiple therapeutic potentials which affect numerous biologic and neurologic pathways.

Routine dietary supplementation with a quality carnosine supplement may help to lower the risks for a number of diseases and conditions, including ASD.

Consult with a doctor who knows about your health history and medications to be sure that carnosine is safe for you. Always follow the dosing instructions on the supplements you use.

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