Children with autism are showing ‘dramatic improvement’ with this cheap drug — and doctor behind its research says it may one day prevent the disorder
By McKenzie Beard Published March 19, 2025, 6:00 a.m. ET
Autism: Arizona doctor claims new drug is helping patients | FOX 10 Phoenix
There is new hope regarding a possible treatment for autism, and it is being spearheaded by a doctor in the Phoenix area.
Child Neurologist Richard Frye has been testing the generic drug Leucovorin as a way of helping folic acid get through to the brain. Folic acid is essential for brain development. Dr. Frye said many patients saw significant improvements in their language skills.
"It's not just talking, but, what we found in our testing is that they were able to understand language in a more complicated fashion and understand the social nuances of language," Dr. Frye said.
Dr. Frye has published his findings in a book, as well as in peer-reviewed studies, and he hopes for additional outside research to confirm and expand on what may be a promising new treatment. FOX 10's Ellen McNamara has more.
(This video is provided for educational and informational purposes only, and does not constitute providing medical advice or professional services. The information provided should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, and those seeking personal medical advice should consult with a licensed physician.)
Doctor claims new drug helps treat children with autism | FOX 5 News
A neurologist in Arizona says the generic drug leucovorin help children with autism absorb folic acid, allowing their brains to develop in a more neuro-typical way. The FDA has not approved the drug for this purpose though.
Is a Folate Deficiency Worsening Your Child’s Autism?
Posted by: Potomac Psychiatry Posted on: April 13, 2023
Cerebral folate receptor autoantibodies in autism spectrum disorder
Frye RE, Sequeira JM, Quadros EV, James SJ, Rossignol DA. Cerebral folate receptor autoantibodies in autism spectrum disorder. Mol Psychiatry. 2013 Mar;18(3):369-81. doi: 10.1038/mp.2011.175. Epub 2012 Jan 10. PMID: 22230883; PMCID: PMC3578948.
Effectiveness of methylcobalamin and folinic Acid treatment on adaptive behavior in children with autistic disorder is related to glutathione redox status
Frye RE, Melnyk S, Fuchs G, Reid T, Jernigan S, Pavliv O, Hubanks A, Gaylor DW, Walters L, James SJ. Effectiveness of methylcobalamin and folinic Acid treatment on adaptive behavior in children with autistic disorder is related to glutathione redox status. Autism Res Treat. 2013;2013:609705. doi: 10.1155/2013/609705. Epub 2013 Oct 12. PMID: 24224089; PMCID: PMC3810468.
Folinic acid improves verbal communication in children with autism and language impairment: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial
Frye RE, Slattery J, Delhey L, Furgerson B, Strickland T, Tippett M, Sailey A, Wynne R, Rose S, Melnyk S, Jill James S, Sequeira JM, Quadros EV. Folinic acid improves verbal communication in children with autism and language impairment: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Mol Psychiatry. 2018 Feb;23(2):247-256. doi: 10.1038/mp.2016.168. Epub 2016 Oct 18. PMID: 27752075; PMCID: PMC5794882.
Treatment of Folate Metabolism Abnormalities in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Rossignol DA, Frye RE. Cerebral Folate Deficiency, Folate Receptor Alpha Autoantibodies and Leucovorin (Folinic Acid) Treatment in Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Pers Med. 2021 Nov 3;11(11):1141. doi: 10.3390/jpm11111141. Erratum in: J Pers Med. 2022 Apr 29;12(5): PMID: 34834493; PMCID: PMC8622150.
Cerebral Folate Deficiency, Folate Receptor Alpha Autoantibodies and Leucovorin (Folinic Acid) Treatment in Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Rossignol DA, Frye RE. Cerebral Folate Deficiency, Folate Receptor Alpha Autoantibodies and Leucovorin (Folinic Acid) Treatment in Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Pers Med. 2021 Nov 3;11(11):1141. doi: 10.3390/jpm11111141. Erratum in: J Pers Med. 2022 Apr 29;12(5): PMID: 34834493; PMCID: PMC8622150.
Dr. Richard Frye on Leucovorin & Autism
Interview with Dr. Richard Frye, a pediatric neurologist and internationally recognized autism researcher, about Folinic Acid, Leucovorin and Autism. Dr. Frye focuses on the biological aspects of autism, including folate pathways, the immune system, metabolism, and mitochondrial function.
About Leucovorinw2ops2025-12-04T11:48:45+00:00
