Identifying Therapies for Autism

We recently completed a pilot trial focused on the assessment of Minocycline, an antibiotic that has immunomodulatory properties by regulating microglial activation, as a potential medication to reduce the progression of neurobehavioral and neurological deterioration in a small group of patients (n=10) with regressive forms of autism.

Although the results of the trial showed no significant clinical effects, changes in the pre- and post-treatment profiles of the proform of neurotrophic growth factor BDNF in CSF and blood as well as other growth factors such as HGF and IL8, suggest that minocycline may have effects in the central nervous system by modulating the production of neurotropic growth factors. Larger studies are needed to determine if minocycline treatment could be helpful for children with autism, and particularly for those with baseline evidence of neuroinflammation.