Autism Could be Treated by Blood Pressure Medication

A drug commonly used to treat patients with high blood pressure shows promise in the treatment and even prevention of Autism, according to a French research study published out of Science.

According to the study, the drug known as bumetanid, which is commonly found in blood pressure medicines, has shown evidence that it can also improve quality-of-life for autistic children.

Autism best explained as a disorder that makes the brain "overexcited," leading to social and commutation issues and repetitive behaviors often explained by an intensely focused or distracted state of attention. With mixed success, autistic research participants showed signs that bumetanid treatments helped mitigate some of these problems.

Better yet, the researcher found strong evidence that indicates the drug can help prevent the development of the disorder in unborn children entirely.

One theory as to how Autism develops in infants has everything to do with a "switch" in the child's brain. The theory suggests that this switch, which excites the brain to encourage development, normally "turns off" just prior to birth. In children born Autistic, the switch failed to do so. According to researchers, administering bumetanid in a patient may help encourage that flip of the switch necessary for normal brain development after birth.

Of course, this is all too theoretical and dangerous to test on humans. Instead, the researchers collected their data from tests on pregnant rats. The results were very direct. When pregnant rats with a form of rodent Autism were given the drug prior to birthing, their babies were born without signs of Autsim. Of course, the risk of applying the drug too soon, ending the "excited brain" phase necessary for healthy development early, is a very real one, but researchers are not calling for a move to tests on human subjects. Instead, it is suggested that the drug may help children exhibiting sign of Autism as early as the age of two.

Autism is becoming increasingly prevalent, with 2% of current U.S. children showing signs of the disorder according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As of now, the disorder is currently diagnosed around the age of four, but efforts are being made for earlier diagnosis so possible treatments like the one discussed in this recent study can be put to better use.

The study was published by Science on February 7, 2014

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