First Developed:
May 2002. Dr. Jaquelyn McCandless and Dr. James Neubrander were the first to notice effectiveness of the treatment.
Overall Philosophy:
Methyl B12 is also known as Methylcobalamin. Methyl-B12 has the ability to activate the methionine/homocysteine biochemical pathway directly, responsible for the body’s entire sulfur-based detoxification system. Methyl-B12 activates antioxidants that are responsible for many detoxification reactions, most notably those that involve the binding and removal of mercury, lead, cadmium, arsenic, nickel, tin, antimony, and many other heavy metals. There has been tremendous research in understanding the clinical use of Methyl B12 in children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
One of the most important treatment modalities to come out of the strong focus on biomedical and metabolic aspects in autism in recent years is the use of injectable methycobalamin, or Methyl-B12. In May 2002, Dr. James Neubrander made an accidental discovery that showed methyl-B12’s profound effect on autism. In the fall of 2003, Dr. James Neubrander provided Methyl-B12 injections on a dietary schedule to 8 children and this treatment was continued for 3-4 months. The results were positive, suggesting that methylation capacity and antioxidant potential can be increased with obvious clinical benefits in the autism spectrum disorder. In Spring 2005, a total of 4,500 autistic children were given the Methyl-B12. This treatment is estimated to be active and effective to some degree in 80-90% of autism cases in children. Dr. Neubrander advises parents to make no changes in their child's nutrient program when adding the methyl-B12 for a period of five weeks to see how responses show its effect. The primary outcomes of Methyl-B12 on the autistic disorder are better speech, language, socialization, and emotion function. However, Dr. Neubrander fears that if parents only look for these signs, they may give up before adequately utilizing this treatment, and he feels that if methyl-B12 is given in the right dosage, timing, and form, up to 94% of children will show benefit.
Main concern:
Still more research is needed to fully explain the outcomes of Methyl-B12.