A Day Off of the NAC

I waited until I only had 2 doses of NAC left before ordering more. So, when the NAC shipment didn't arrive before I ran out, we had a day without any NAC. What a difference! I had wondered how much the NAC was helping before we ran out, but now I know. V was irritable from 10 am until 3pm, either acting out or laying in her bed resting or sleeping. She never had a community outing because it would have been unsafe to take her out until she was calm, and 1 mg of lorazepam (ativan) did not help her. She did better in the later afternoon and evening. We still don't have the new shipment of NAC and I am hoping it arrives today. Now I can see that she is much more relaxed with it than without, and it has reduced the need for sedatives to take the edge off of her irritability, which I don't want to use any more often than necessary for safety.

Here is a new article about NAC and explains in terms that are fairly easy to understand, why NAC may help autism symptoms.

N-acetylcysteine may hold potential for treating autism

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E.

By E. Hector Corsi

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/330225#ixzz22s2eOhp3

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is an inexpensive antioxidant supplement that was recently examined for its ability to improve some aspects of autism. Significant improvements on some behaviors were observed with the use of NAC.

Dr. Hardan of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University in Stanford, California performed a randomized, placebo-controlled study of NAC in children with autism.

The children were divided into two groups, and one group received NAC, and the other received a placebo for 12 weeks. Patients who received NAC were administered 900 mg per day for four weeks, then 900 mg twice a day for four weeks, and then 900 mg three times per day for four weeks.

NAC treated patients had significant improvements in irritability compared to those on placebo. A decrease in repetitive/stereotyped behaviors was also observed, but reached statistical significance only on some subscales. Gastrointestinal side effects were observed, but NAC was generally well tolerated. The results were published in the journal Biological Psychiatry.

Autism may have several causes, and some of them include increased levels of the neurotransmitter glutamate, which is excitatory, and high oxidative stress. Researchers of the above study highlight one of the causes of the disease is disequilibrium between antioxidants and oxidants. This causes an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS), and this causes damage to several cells and organs. Synthesis of glutathione, the body’s main antioxidant, is also perturbed.

NAC may work because it increases glutathione and beneficially modulates the release of glutamate. Whey protein can also raise glutathione levels, and other researchers have also previously found that NAC can raise glutathione.

A systematic review of research findings was carried out by Dr. Frustaci at the Unit of Clinical and Molecular Epidemiology at the Scientific Institute of Recovery and Treatment San Raffaele Pisana, Rome , which specializes in neurologic rehabilitation. Her key results recently published in the journal Free Radical Biology and Medicine shows that patients with autism have low blood levels of glutathione.

Other researchers also recently reported in the journal Current Medicinal Chemistry that glutathione levels are reduced in autism patients, and antioxidant enzymes are decreased. They stated that glutathione can protect against the inflammation and oxidative stress in autism.

Thus, by increasing glutathione levels, NAC might improve some aspects of autism. Larger randomized studies are required to evaluate the effects of NAC on the disease.

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Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/330225#ixzz22s2Dz5ZD

CM-AT for Core Symptoms of Autism

This medication works in the intestines of children to help them better digest proteins so that they don't need to avoid gluten or other dietary items that exacerbate autism symptoms because of immune system responses.

Read below;

Autism

Autism represents a large patient population with unmet medical needs.  According to the latest study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), autism affects approximately one in 110 children.  Some 70% of children with autism could potentially benefit from Curemark’s enzyme replacement therapy, one of first therapies to address the underlying physiology of autism, rather than just treat its symptoms.

Curemark has identified a series of biomarkers that determine which children with autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) may have digestive deficiencies underlying or as a major component of their disease.  Research by Dr. Joan Fallon, Curemark’s CEO and founder, showed enzyme deficiencies in children with autism, resulting in an inability to digest protein.  The inability to digest protein affects the production of amino acids, the building blocks of chemicals essential for brain function.  Curemark is progressing with Phase III clinical trials for its CM-AT autism treatment, which has been granted fast track status by the FDA. 

PRESS RELEASE

Aug. 6, 2012, 10:13 a.m. EDT

Curemark To Enroll Children 9-12 Years Of Age Into Medical Trial Of CM-AT For Children With Autism

NEW YORK, Aug. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Dr. Joan Fallon, founder and CEO of Curemark, a Rye, New York-based drug research and development company focused on the treatment of Autism and neurological diseases, today announced that the company has received clearance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to commence direct enrollment of children 9-12 years of age into its open-label extension study of CM-AT for children with Autism. A limited cohort of children and sites will be involved in this direct enrollment.

In December 2011, Curemark reported that its Phase III double-blind randomized placebo-controlled multicenter clinical trial of CM-AT for Autism met its primary and secondary endpoints. The trial compared CM-AT to placebo in children with Autism 3-8 years of age. Top line results demonstrate a statistically significant effect of CM-AT over placebo on both the core and non-core symptoms of Autism.

Dr. Fallon stated, "We are thrilled to be allowed to directly enroll these older children into our ongoing open-label extension study." She continued, "Enrolling children 9-12 years-of-age with Autism who may potentially benefit from this therapeutic treatment in our trial is extremely important."

The FDA has placed CM-AT into the Fast Track program which facilitates the development and expedites the review of new drugs that are intended to treat serious or life-threatening conditions and that demonstrate the potential to address unmet medical needs.

About CUREMARK LLC

Curemark is a drug research and development company focused on the treatment of neurological and other diseases, especially those with dysautonomic components, by addressing certain key gastrointestinal/pancreatic secretory deficiencies. The company announced in December, 2011, that its Phase III double blind randomized placebo controlled multicenter clinical trial of CM-AT for autism met its primary and secondary endpoints. To learn more about our innovative science, visit www.curemark.com .

About Autism

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a range of complex neurodevelopment disorders characterized by social impairments, communication difficulties, and restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped patterns of behavior. It is estimated that autism affects 1 in 88 children in the United States. It is reported to occur in all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups, with a 3 to 4 times greater occurrence in boys than girls. There is presently no drug approved to treat the core symptoms of autism. Recent studies have estimated that the lifetime cost to care for an individual with an ASD is $3.2 million.

Safe Harbor Statement

This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results and experiences to differ materially from anticipated results and expectations expressed in such forward-looking statement. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the mechanism of action of the Curemark products CM-AT, CM-4612 and CM-182 their potential advantages, their potential for use in treating diseases or disorders, as well as the timing, progress and anticipated results of the clinical development and regulatory processes concerning the Curemark products CM-AT, CM-4612 and CM-182. These statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations as to such future outcomes, and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual future experience and results to differ materially from the statements made. Factors that might cause such a material difference include, among others, risks that the results of clinical trials will not support our claims or beliefs concerning the effectiveness of the Curemark products CM-AT, CM-4612 and CM-182, our ability to finance our development of CM-AT, CM-4612 and CM-182 regulatory risks, and our reliance on third party researchers and other collaborators. We assume no obligation to update these statements, except as required by law.

SOURCE Curemark LLC

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