When President Donald Trump’s administration unexpectedly approved leucovorin, a B vitamin derivative, as a new autism treatment, it bewildered many medical experts, including the proposal's originator, Dr. Richard Frye. Frye, an Arizona child neurologist, had been assuming that further studies were necessary before any formal approval.
Critics argue that the approval highlights the chaotic approach to managing autism treatments within Trump's administration, as experts describe the drug's supporting studies as very weak with no solid evidence proving its effectiveness for autism symptoms. David Mandell, a psychiatrist from the University of Pennsylvania emphasized this point, noting that various factors, including genetics, largely contribute to autism's occurrence.
Despite concerns, some doctors are already prescribing leucovorin, and its attention is growing online among parents seeking alternative solutions for their children's challenges. However, leading specialists warn that emerging treatments often fall short in larger clinical studies, urging caution and careful research moving forward.
The FDA's recent endorsement of a generic version of leucovorin raises questions about whether this will lead to broader acceptance in the medical community without the required in-depth research.
