A New Angle on Treatment for Autism?

Anecdotal reports and results from open trials have suggested that amantadine, a drug used for influenza prophylaxis and Parkinson's disease and with proven safety in children, lessens hyperactivity and aggressivity in children with various diagnoses. To test the efficacy of amantadine in autism, researchers using a double-blind research protocol randomized 39 children, aged 5 to 19 years and diagnosed with DSM-IV autism via comprehensive research assessments, to receive amantadine (5 mg/kg/day) or placebo for 4 weeks after a 1-week placebo lead-in.

All participants completed the drug trial, which included weekly behavioral monitoring. After 4 weeks of treatment, active and placebo groups did not differ on the main study measures of parent-r…