Study shows diabetes treatment helps reduce weight in children with autism

"This is a very special group, as young people with ASD present with many unique challenges. By definition, they experience communication difficulties, and they're reported to have more gastrointestinal (GI) difficulties than most other patient groups," said Michael Aman, professor emeritus of psychology at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center's Nisonger Center and lead investigator at Ohio State.

Results of the 16-week, multicenter clinical trial, which also showed metformin was well­tolerated and reduced BMI scores from the initial baseline significantly more than the placebo group, are published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Psychiatry.

"It's critically important that we investigate new ways to support healthy outcomes as early as possible for those who are on these medications," said Dr. Evdokia Anagnostou, principal investigator of the study and senior clinician scientist and co­lead of Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital's Autism Research Centre.

The double­blind, randomized clinical trial observed outcomes of 60 adolescents and children (ages 6­17)) with ASD who were overweight due to side effects of FDA­approved antipsychotic medications prescribed to treat irritability and agitation. Such medications can cause a significant increase in weight gain and BMI, which increases long­term risk of diabetes. Researchers explored the effectiveness of metformin in counteracting weigh gain associated with antipsychotics.

"Use of antipsychotics to help manage irritability associated with ASD can sometimes be long­term, which means we need to provide families with solutions that support lasting optimal health in their children," Anagnostou said. "Our results showed that GI side effects occurred for more days in the metformin group compared to placebo group, but the large majority of children taking metformin were able to maintain their treatment. Importantly, the metformin didn't cause behavioral changes, such as increased irritability," Aman said.

ASD is a common developmental disorder of childhood which has markedly grown in frequency in recent decades, and data shows adolescents with ASD are more likely to be overweight than those without developmental disabilities.

Researchers note that results from this study are promising in terms of weight management, as little research has examined treatment or prevention of weight gain in children and adolescents with ASD. In addition, food selection commonly associated with ASD adds to the challenge of weight management.

"It's not the amount that's eaten, rather the food choices that are a by­product of the cravings and linked to weight gain," Aman said.