What is
Prednisone?
Prednisone is a steroid; NOT the anabolic steroid that
bodybuilders use, but rather a "corticosteroid",
like the hydrocortisone used to treat inflammation,
or to treat autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid
arthritis and asthma. Prednisone is the generic name;
some common brand names are Prelone, Deltasone, Meticorten,
Orasone, Prednisolone and SK-Prednisone.
Prednisone was developed in 1955 as a man-made replica
of cortisone, a hormone produced by the outer portion
(or cortex) of the adrenal glands, located on top of
the kidneys. Cortisone and related hormones help regulate
the blood pressure, salt and water balance, and controls
inflammation. It may also be important for normal brain
development. The adrenal glands normally produce about
25mg of cortisone a day, which is equivalent to about
5mg of prednisone a day.
When prescribed in higher doses, prednisone suppresses
inflammation as well as the body’s immune system,
and can help treat a variety of diseases such as severe
allergies or skin problems, asthma, arthritis, ulcerative
colitis, and multiple sclerosis. Prednisone is also
used to help prevent rejection of organ transplants.
The original uses of steroids (dating back to 1948)
were to treat immune-system diseases such as rheumatoid
arthritis and polio. Over time, it became clear that
it could treat many other conditions as well, and could
suppress the immune system in the case of organ transplants.
Prednisone was used to treat certain childhood epilepsies
in the 1970s, as it helped to reduce seizure frequency
and normalize epileptic EEGs. In the 1980s, it began
to be used for treatment of seizures and abnormal EEGs
in LKS, infantile spasms, Lenex-Gastault syndrome (multiple
seizures coupled with global delays) and related conditions,
where its effects on speech recovery were noted. In
the 1990s, some neurologists began using it to treat
autism & Autistic Spectrum Disorders even when no
seizures or EEG abnormalities were noted, first only
the regressive form and later the "delayed from
birth" form.
The moral here is, although its use in autism is new,
prednisone has a long history behind it.
Questions or comments about Prednisone and Autism?
Email us at prednisone@aheadwithautism.com.
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Prednisone
and Autism