Bumetanide for autism: open-label trial in six children
Open accessAbstract
AIM: Bumetanide, a diuretic agent, that reduces intracellular chloride-thereby reinforcing GABAergic inhibition-has been reported to improve core symptoms of autism in children. Given the positive results reported from French trials of bumetanide in children with autism, we decided to evaluate its effects in a small-scale pilot study, in advance of a larger randomised controlled study (RCT). METHODS: This was an open-label three-month trial of bumetanide on six children (five boys), aged 3-14 years with autism. Ratings according to the Parental Satisfaction Survey (PASS) were used after four and twelve weeks to assess symptom change. Blood electrolyte status was monitored. RESULTS: Improvement in the PASS domain "Communicative and cognitive abilities" was marked or very marked in four children, and two had some improvements. Few negative side effects were reported. CONCLUSION: Our small cohort responded well to bumetanide, particularly with regard to "Communicative and cognitive abilities". Taken with the evidence from larger-scale RCTs, we suggest that bumetanide should be considered for inclusion in ethically approved treatment/management trials for children with autism, subject to rigorous follow-up in large-scale RCTs.
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An open-label trial of 6 children with severe ASD and intellectual disability showed parent-reported improvement in communicative abilities of all children after 3 months of bumetanide.
“Another open-label trial of 6 children with severe ASD and intellectual disability showed parent-reported improvement in communicative abilities of all children after 3 months of bumetanide [96].”
From An Update on Psychopharmacological Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder (2022) · cites this paper as [96]
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An Update on Psychopharmacological Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder
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- Authors
- Fernell, E., Gustafsson, P., & Gillberg, C.
- Affiliations
- Sahlgrenska University Hospital (SE)
- Lund University (SE)
- Corresponding author
- Fernell, Elisabeth
- Venue
- Acta Paediatrica
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2021-01-21
- Volume
- 110
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 1548-1553
- ISSN
- 0365-1436 (ISSN-L)
- 0803-5253
- 1651-2227
- PMC
- PMC8248373
- OpenAlex
- W3116942098
- Cited by
- 34
- References
- 21
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 7
- FWCI
- 2.42
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Acta Paediatrica (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Lund University Publications (Lund University) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genetics and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues
- Keywords
- bumetanide, autism spectrum disorder, diuretics, chloride reduction, GABAergic inhibition, communication skills, cognitive ability, children, electrolyte monitoring
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Autistic Disorder, Bumetanide, Child, Child, Preschool, Humans, Male, Parents, Pilot Projects
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