Study of Glutathione, Vitamin C and Cysteine in Children With Autism and Severe Behavior Problems

• Status: Completed
• Trial end date: 2012-09-01
• Target enrollment: 0
• Participant gender: All

Summary

This is a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of glutathione alone or glutathione, vitamin C and NAC treatment in children with autism who also have severe behavior problems. The investigators hypothesis is that children with autism will show improvement in both learning capabilities and behavior with either glutathione, or glutathione, vitamin C and NAC therapy.

• Phase: N/A
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers?: No

Details

• Lead Sponsor: University of Louisville
• Collaborators: Cumberland Pharmaceuticals; Norton Healthcare
• Treatments: Ascorbic Acid; Vitamins

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 5 to 16 years, inclusive

• Diagnosed with autism using the ADI-R (Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised)

• ABC Irritability/Agitation subscale score (Aberrant Behavior Checklist Subscale) ≥ 18

• CGI-S score (Clinical Global Impression-Severity Scale) ≥ 4

• Must be drug naïve or on a stable dose of medication(s) and educational/behavioral interventions for one month prior to participation

• Parent/legal guardian must provide written consent and required research authorization (i.e. HIPAA) prior to the performance of any study procedures.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Presence of another disorder on the autism spectrum including PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified), Asperger's, and Rett's Syndrome

• Patient with a known cause of autism such as Fragile X

• Evidence of significant renal dysfunction (e.g. GFR estimated by the Schwartz formula < 50 mL/min or serum creatinine > 2.5 X upper limit of normal for age)

• Evidence of significant hepatic dysfunction (serum transaminases > 2.5 X the upper limit of normal)

• Known hypersensitivity to glutathione, vitamin C or NAC

• Pregnant or lactating female

• Inability of subject and parent to be able to comply with requirements for study visits and procedures

• Presence of major mental illness

• History of antioxidant supplementation.