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Dimethylglycine and Autism

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Ranking :

Type(s) : Diets and supplements

Other Names :

• DMG
• Dimethyl Glycine
• Calcium Pangamate
• Pangamatic Acid
• Pangamic Acid
• Vitamin B15

Introduction

Some people believe that individuals with autism don’t have enough of the right nutrients in their bodies, or that their bodies are poor at making use of the nutrients available to them.

These people believe that the above may be the cause of some of the symptoms of autism, such as impaired communication and social difficulties, and that these problems can be overcome by taking nutritional supplements, such as DMG.

Opinion

There is currently no good evidence that individuals with autistic spectrum disorders have nutrient deficiencies.

There is strong evidence, based on two scientifically valid and reliable trails, that DMG is not effective in improving social, language or other functioning in people with autistic spectrum disorders.

However there are many positive anecdotal reports about the benefits of DMG, which is relatively cheap, easy to use, and appears to have no significant side effects for most people.

For these reasons, further research into DMG may be justified.

Further information

Please see the Trials page for details of the research studies we used to rank this intervention and the Ranking page for details of how we ranked those studies.

Disclaimer

Please read our Disclaimer about this intervention.

Audience

The supporters of DMG claim that is suitable for anybody with autistic spectrum disorders – including people with autism or Asperger syndrome – who doesn’t have enough of the right nutrients in their bodies..

Claims

Rimland claims that

‘Many parents have reported that, within a few days of starting DMG, the child’s behavior improved noticeably, better eye contact was seen, frustration tolerance increased, the child’s speech improved, or more interest and ability in speaking was observed.’

He also claims that

‘Over the past 40 years I have encountered a great many cases of severely SIB/A [self-injurious and assaultive behavior] individuals who have responded wonderfully well to nutritional supplementation, particularly high dose B6 and magnesium, and DMG.’

Detail

Dimethylglycine or DMG is a non-protein amino acid found in animal and plant cells.

It’s supporters claim that it can be used to increase the effectiveness of the immune system, to improve the physical and athletic performance of humans and other animals (e.g. race horses) and to provide a range of other benefits.

It can be taken in a variety of forms, such as tablets and drops. .

Time

Edelson recommends a

‘daily dose of DMG is between one to four 125 mg tablets for a child, and between two and eight tablets for an adult. Initially, a person should begin with one 125 mg tablet (a ½ tablet for a small child), and then increase the amount by one tablet every 2 to 3 days. DMG is also available in capsule, liquid, and sweet-tasting dissolving tablets.’

Rimland states that

‘If DMG is going to work, its effects will usually be seen within a week or so, though it should be tried for a few weeks or a month before giving up.’

Involvement

The minimum amount of time required for this intervention is a few minutes per day.

Costs

This varies from supplier to supplier and from dosage to dosage. Prices in the US tend to be less than prices in Europe.

Some US suppliers charge about $15 for 60 tablets. Some UK suppliers charge about £8 for 50 tablets.

Credentials

These products are sold without a prescription in chemists and health food stores. Therefore providers will usually have no professional credentials or qualifications.

Availability

These products are widely available within Europe and the US.

Hazards

All supplements can be hazardous in incorrect doses, and some may interact dangerously with medications already being taken.

Therefore professional advice should always be obtained before embarking on a course of vitamin supplements, if the individual is already taking a medication or is unwell physically in any way.

Taking excessive amounts of DMG can cause agitation and/or hyperactivity. Some researchers recommend giving folic acid alongside DMG to avoid this problem.

Contraindications

All nutritional supplements in the wrong doses can cause harm, and can also interact dangerously with other medications being taken.

Those with hypersensitivity to any component of the preparation should not use DMG.

DMG is not advised for pregnant women or nursing mothers and should only be used in children under medical supervision.

History

According to Rimland, in 1965 Russian scientists discovered that calcium pangamate led to considerable improvement in the speech of some learning disabled children who had not been able to use speech to communicate. Subsequent research has shown the essential factor in calcium pangamate to be DMG.

Soon afterward psychiatrist Allan Cott began to use pangamic acid on children, some of whom were autistic. Many of Cott’s patients responded in the same way the Russian children had.

Following various legal battles, the sale of DMG is now permitted, as long as it is not referred to as a vitamin, and as long as it is sold as a food and not a drug.

Accounts

There are some anecdotal reports of improvement from professionals, parents and others.

The anecdotal reports come from a range of people, including professionals and carers.

Research

We have identified two scientific trials of DMG for the treatment of people with autistic spectrum disorders published in peer-reviewed journals.

These trials included a total of 45 individuals aged 3 to 30.

• Both studies (Bolman and Richmond, 1999; and Kern et al. 2001) reported no significant improvements in people with autism following the use of DMG.

Status

There are problems with some of the research studies identified to date.

For example

• The study by Bolman and Richard (1999) reported that the major methodological weaknesses of the study was the low dosage of DMG and the small sample size used.

Trials

• Bolman W.M., Richmond J.(1999). A double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover pilot trial of low dose dimethylglycine in patients with autistic disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. 29(3), pp. 191-194. Read Abstract (New Window)
• Kern J.K. et al. (2001). Effectiveness of N,N-dimethylglycine in autism and pervasive developmental disorder. Journal of Child Neurology. 16(3), pp. 169-173. Read Abstract (New Window)

Summary

There is strong evidence, based on two scientifically valid and reliable trails, that DMG is not effective in improving social, language or other functioning in people with autistic spectrum disorders.

However there are also many positive anecdotal reports about the benefits of DMG.

Reading

• PDR Health. (No date). Dimethylglycine (DMG). Location unknown: PDR Health. Read Full Item

• Rimland, B. (1990). Dimethylglycine (DMG), a nontoxic metabolite, and autism. Autism Research Review International, 4,(2), p. 3. Read Full item

• Rimland, B. (n.d.). Dimethylglycine (DMG) for Autism. San Diego, CA: Autism Research Institute. Read Full item

• Rimland B. (2001). Controlling self-injurious and assaultive behavior in autism. Autism Research Review International, 15(4), p. 3 Read Full item

Issues

Links

Keywords

Acid Amino B15 Calcium DMG Dimethylglycine Pangamate Pangamatic Pangamic Supplement Vitamin

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