Is selank (a peptide) effective and safe for treating autism spectrum disorder (ASD)?

Selank for Autism Spectrum Disorder

Direct Answer

Selank is not recommended for the treatment of autism spectrum disorder, as it has no evidence base for use in ASD and is not included in any established treatment guidelines for this condition. 1, 2

Evidence-Based Treatment Framework

What Guidelines Actually Recommend

The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry practice parameters for ASD treatment do not include selank among recommended interventions. 1, 2 The established treatment hierarchy is:

• First-line treatment: Early intensive behavioral and developmental interventions, particularly those based on applied behavior analysis principles 1
• Pharmacotherapy role: Target specific symptoms (irritability, hyperactivity, aggression) or comorbid conditions, not core ASD features 1, 3
• Approved medications: Only risperidone and aripiprazole have FDA approval for irritability in ASD, with evidence from randomized controlled trials 1

Why Selank Is Not Appropriate

Selank is classified as a complementary/alternative medicine approach without sufficient evidence for routine use in ASD. 2 The available research on selank addresses entirely different conditions:

• Studies demonstrate anxiolytic effects in adults with phobic-anxiety and somatoform disorders 4
• Research shows effects on noradrenergic system function and memory in animal models 5
• Investigations reveal GABA receptor modulation mechanisms 6
• Clinical trials examine immunomodulatory effects in anxiety-asthenic disorders 7

None of these studies involved children with autism or addressed ASD core symptoms. The leap from adult anxiety disorders to pediatric autism is not evidence-based and potentially harmful.

Clinical Pitfalls to Avoid

Do not substitute unproven treatments for evidence-based interventions. 2 Parents may seek complementary/alternative approaches, but clinicians should:

• Discuss that selank lacks any ASD-specific evidence 2
• Emphasize that behavioral interventions have the strongest evidence for improving cognitive and language outcomes 1
• Explain that delaying proven treatments while pursuing unvalidated options may worsen long-term outcomes 1

If parents insist on discussing complementary treatments, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry recommends open dialogue about these approaches 2, but this does not constitute endorsement.

What to Do Instead

For Core ASD Symptoms

Implement structured educational and behavioral interventions as the foundation of treatment, requiring up to 40 hours weekly in some programs. 1, 2

For Specific Target Symptoms

If pharmacotherapy is needed for comorbid conditions in ASD patients 3:

• Irritability/aggression: Risperidone (0.5-3.5 mg/d) or aripiprazole (5-15 mg/d) with evidence from multiple RCTs 1
• ADHD symptoms: α2-adrenergic agonists (guanfacine 1-3 mg/d divided) may be more suitable than stimulants in some ASD patients 1, 3
• Anxiety: Buspirone and mirtazapine are preferred over SSRIs in ASD 3
• Sleep disturbances: Behavioral interventions first-line, then melatonin if needed 1

Monitoring Requirements

All children with ASD should be screened for sleep problems, comorbid psychiatric conditions, and response to behavioral interventions using validated assessment tools. 1