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.
Parents say son with autism was nonverbal until trying an off-label drug that treats chemo side effects
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Editorial: Early Metabolic Drivers of Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Potential Pathways to Early Detection and Novel Interventions
Richard E. Frye MD, PhD
Developmental regression and mitochondrial dysfunction in a child with autism
Poling, J. S., Frye, R. E., Shoffner, J., & Zimmerman, A. W. (2006). Developmental regression and mitochondrial dysfunction in a child with autism. Journal of child neurology, 21(2), 170–172. https://doi.org/10.1177/08830738060210021401
Choroid plexus papilloma expansion over 7 years in Aicardi syndrome
Frye RE, Polling JS, Ma LC. Choroid plexus papilloma expansion over 7 years in Aicardi syndrome. J Child Neurol. 2007 Apr;22(4):484-7. doi: 10.1177/0883073807302759. PMID: 17621535; PMCID: PMC2536525.
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