Is folate an evidence-based treatment for autism?

Today’s #ASFpodcast explains the potential and the unknowns behind folate, known as leucovorin when prescribe, for treating autism. CBSNews reported on a “miraculous” study using leucovorin that will need further research before it lives up to the type. However, it is an example of how different biological markers may direct what treatments work best in what people, and possibly an example of precision medicine in ASD. Second, more of the mystery of the male/female diagnosis difference in ASD. How do genetics affect liability in males and females? It’s been well established females have more of a certain type of genetic variation, but females are less likely to be diagnosis. New results show that the liability for autism is the same in males and females (both are just as likely to receive a diagnosis based on their genetics), however these two sexes may have a different threshold for an autism diagnosis. Females may need more of these mutations to receive an autism diagnosis. Read more below:

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00431-024-05762-6

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27752075

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39954678

Those confusing folate findings explained

During IMFAR, a study was presented that showed that women with very high levels of folate during pregnancy showed an increased risk of having a child with autism. The media took this to mean that taking too many prenatal vitamins caused autism. ugh. This week, those findings are discussed. Also published this week is a well-designed, long awaited study which examines the theory that too little folate in the central nervous system is the culprit behind autism. Too little folate in the brain is not the culprit, and too much in the blood may be coincidental to something else causing autism. It’s important to have a balance so don’t hesitate to take a prenatal if you are trying to get pregnant.

Also, because you may be IMFAR’d out – we highlight the exciting findings that cognitive behavioral therapy for treating anxiety in people with ASD is not only effective in clinical settings, but in school settings. This has implications people with ASD in special needs classrooms who need treatments for anxiety.