The role of oligopeptides in preventing autism.

Previous reports in this series point to insufficient insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF1) in the newborn as the key to brain dysconnectivity characteristic of autism. Such a deficiency should be detectable in the baby's blood at or soon after birth. Breast-feeding exclusively for the first year of postpartum life or supplementation with oral agents to raise the serum IGF1 level, such a cyclo-glycylproline, could be helpful for this purpose.