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Secretin Treatment for Autistic Disorder: A Critical Analysis
Author(s) -
Patel Nick C.,
Yeh Jun Y.,
Shepherd Marvin D.,
Crismon M. Lynn
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
pharmacotherapy: the journal of human pharmacology and drug therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.227
H-Index - 109
eISSN - 1875-9114
pISSN - 0277-0008
DOI - 10.1592/phco.22.11.905.33622
Subject(s) - secretin , placebo , psychology , medline , gastrointestinal hormone , clinical psychology , autism , medicine , psychiatry , psychotherapist , hormone , alternative medicine , peptide hormone , biology , pathology , secretion , biochemistry
We assessed evidence of the effects of secretin on behavior in individuals with autistic disorder. Articles were obtained through a MEDLINE search of the English‐language literature from January 1966–November 2001; all investigations and case reports on the topic were included. Press releases obtained from the World Wide Web also were included. Secretin, a gastrointestinal hormone, is suggested to improve autistic symptoms, particularly social function and communication. Two formulations, porcine and synthetic human secretin, were evaluated in humans. A small body of literature and popular belief in autistic disorder communities supported the agent's efficacy. A number of controlled clinical trials did not show improvement in autistic symptoms with secretin compared with placebo, possibly indicating no role for the drug in autistic disorder.