The Effects of Megadoses of Selected B Complex Vitamins on Children with Hyperkinesis

Abstract

One hundred children with hyperkinesis and cerebral dysfunction were given individual three-day trials of pharmacologic doses of thiamin, calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine, and placebo. When beneficial response was noted, a second week-long trial of vitamins was given, alternating with placebo, followed by long-term therapy. Two-thirds of the remaining children not responding to this schedule were then given pharmacologic doses of niacinamide, combinations of B-complex vitamins, or elimination diets. Eight children dramatically responded to pharmacologic doses of thiamin, of which four still require the vitamin either intermittently or continuously after four years. Nine children responded to 300 mg of pyridoxine; an additional 5 patients responded only after receiving larger doses. Only one child could be maintained on placebo. In subsequent trials, 11 responded to niacin or to combinations of B-complex vitamins with minerals. In a two-year follow-up, six children who had demonstrated no beneficial response to these clinical trials had spontaneously improved. Eight children responded to dietary manipulations alone. Half the children found to be “dependent” on pharmacological doses of thiamin worsened with administration of B6. Conversely, half of the pyridoxine responders worsened when given large doses of thiamin. Blood zinc levels dropped substantially with administration of pyridoxine. The experience suggests that the hyperkinetic cerebral dysfunction syndrome is multifactoral. A significant number are caused by vitamin deficiency or pharmacologic dependency.

Treatment alternatives for Attention-Deficit! Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

“…Though half or more of enriched samples selected for suspicion of food sensitivity seem to respond well under controlled conditions, it is not clear what proportion this represents of the whole ADHD population. Preliminary evidence suggests that the profile of a probable responder is a middle-or upper-class preschooler with atopy and prominent irritability and sleep disturbance, with physical as well as behavioral symptoms, and possibly high copper levels (Brenner, 1979), but the definition needs more work.…”

“…The third strategy, judicious use of single vitamins in megadosage to alter neural metabolism in specific ways, is actually more like psychopharmacology and has not been adequately explored despite some encouraging early reports (e.g., Coleman et al, 1979;Brenner, 1982).…”

Nutrition and Behavior

“…It has been suggested that megavitamin therapy may be a useful adjunct in the treatment of ADHD (Cott 1972;Coleman et al 1979;Brenner 1982). In 1972, using doses of niacin, ascorbic acid, and pyridoxine from 100 to 300 times the recommended dietary allowance, Cott reported that megavitamin therapy decreased hyperactivity and improved both concentration and attention span, and subsequently learning capacity, in children with ADHD.…”

“…Other children improved following pharmacological doses of thiamin, niacin, or a combination of B-complex vitamins with minerals. From his observations, Brenner (1982) concluded that while there are mUltiple causes for ADHD, in a significant number of cases the disorder is the result of vitamin deficiencies.…”

The effect of thiamin tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide on behavior of juvenile DBA/2J mice

“…to high-dose thiamin (Brenner, 1982). Improved behavior has also 492 been reported in autistic children treated with TTFD, but the nature of 493 the improvements was not described (Lonsdale et al, 2002).…”