Use of lactulose in the treatment of autism

Abstract

A treatment for autism in which an effective amount of lactulose is administered in order to bind excess ammonia in the gastrointestinal tract, the bloodstream, and the nervous system in order to prevent or reverse ammonia poisoning caused by the administration of certain antibiotics. Lactulose molecules in the colon are fermented by certain bacteria. The fermentation process lowers the colonic pH, and ammonia, in the form of ammonium ions, is used by the bacteria for amino acid and protein synthesis. This lowers the serum ammonia levels and reduces neurotoxicity.

1 . A method for treating an individual exhibiting one or more symptoms of autistic disorder, the method comprising administering an effective amount of lactulose to the individual. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein one of the symptoms is selected from a group consisting of a gastrointestinal disorder, a neurological disorder, and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the effective amount of lactulose comprises about 0.4 g/kg lactulose and 0.1 g/kg mannitol per dose. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the effective amount of lactulose comprises about 0.3 g/kg lactulose per dose. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the effective amount of lactulose is administered approximately two to five times per day. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the effective amount of lactulose is administered in a form selected from the group consisting of a powder, liquid solution, syrup, and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the effective amount of lactulose includes an amount of lactulose sufficient to decrease ammonia levels in the blood of the individual. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the effective amount of lactulose includes an amount of lactulose sufficient to decrease ammonia levels in the gastrointestinal tract of the individual. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the effective amount of lactulose includes an amount of lactulose sufficient to decrease ammonia levels in the nervous system of the individual. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the effective amount of lactulose includes an amount of lactulose sufficient to reverse ammonia poisoning caused by the administration of antibiotics that leave a residue in the gastrointestinal tract of the individual. 
     
     
         11 . A composition for treating autism and the symptoms thereof in an individual comprising an effective amount of lactulose. 
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 11 , wherein one of the symptoms is selected from a group consisting of a gastrointestinal disorder, a neurological disorder, and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 11 , wherein the effective amount of lactulose comprises about 0.4 g/kg lactulose and 0.1 g/kg mannitol per dose. 
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 11 , wherein the effective amount of lactulose comprises about 0.3 g/kg lactulose per dose. 
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 11 , wherein the effective amount of lactulose is administered approximately two to five times per day. 
     
     
         16 . The composition of  claim 11 , wherein the effective amount of lactulose is manufactured in a form selected from the group consisting of a powder, liquid solution, syrup, and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The composition of  claim 11 , wherein the effective amount of lactulose includes an amount of lactulose sufficient to decrease ammonia levels in the blood of the individual. 
     
     
         18 . The composition of  claim 11 , wherein the effective amount of lactulose includes an amount of lactulose sufficient to decrease ammonia levels in the gastrointestinal tract of the individual. 
     
     
         19 . The composition of  claim 11 , wherein the effective amount of lactulose includes an amount of lactulose sufficient to decrease ammonia levels in the nervous system of the individual. 
     
     
         20 . The composition of  claim 11 , wherein the effective amount of lactulose includes an amount of lactulose sufficient to reverse ammonia poisoning caused by the administration of antibiotics that leave a residue in the gastrointestinal tract of the individual.