The Library
A randomised, double blind, placebo-controlled trial of a fixed dose of N-acetyl cysteine in children with autistic disorder
Tools
Dean, Olivia M., Gray, Kylie M., Villagonzalo, Kristi-Ann, Dodd, Seetal, Mohebbi, Mohammadreza, Vick, Tanya, Tonge, Bruce J. and Berk, Michael (2017) A randomised, double blind, placebo-controlled trial of a fixed dose of N-acetyl cysteine in children with autistic disorder. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 51 (3). pp. 241-249. doi:10.1177/0004867416652735 ISSN 0004-8674.
Research output not available from this repository.
Request-a-Copy directly from author or use local Library Get it For Me service.
Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0004867416652735
Abstract
Objective:
Oxidative stress, inflammation and heavy metals have been implicated in the aetiology of autistic disorder. N-acetyl cysteine has been shown to modulate these pathways, providing a rationale to trial N-acetyl cysteine for autistic disorder. There are now two published pilot studies suggesting efficacy, particularly in symptoms of irritability. This study aimed to explore if N-acetyl cysteine is a useful treatment for autistic disorder.
Method:
This was a placebo-controlled, randomised clinical trial of 500 mg/day oral N-acetyl cysteine over 6 months, in addition to treatment as usual, in children with a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision diagnosis of autistic disorder. The study was conducted in Victoria, Australia. The primary outcome measures were the Social Responsiveness Scale, Children’s Communication Checklist–Second Edition and the Repetitive Behavior Scale–Revised. Additionally, demographic data, the parent-completed Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, Social Communication Questionnaire and clinician-administered Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule were completed.
Results:
A total of 102 children were randomised into the study, and 98 (79 male, 19 female; age range: 3.1–9.9 years) attended the baseline appointment with their parent/guardian, forming the Intention to Treat sample. There were no differences between N-acetyl cysteine and placebo-treated groups on any of the outcome measures for either primary or secondary endpoints. There was no significant difference in the number and severity of adverse events between groups.
Conclusion:
This study failed to demonstrate any benefit of adjunctive N-acetyl cysteine in treating autistic disorder. While this may reflect a true null result, methodological issues particularly the lower dose utilised in this study may be confounders.
Item Type: | Journal Article | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Divisions: | Faculty of Social Sciences > Centre for Educational Development, Appraisal and Research (CEDAR) | ||||||
Journal or Publication Title: | Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry | ||||||
Publisher: | Sage Publications Ltd. | ||||||
ISSN: | 0004-8674 | ||||||
Official Date: | 1 March 2017 | ||||||
Dates: |
|
||||||
Volume: | 51 | ||||||
Number: | 3 | ||||||
Page Range: | pp. 241-249 | ||||||
DOI: | 10.1177/0004867416652735 | ||||||
Status: | Peer Reviewed | ||||||
Publication Status: | Published | ||||||
Access rights to Published version: | Restricted or Subscription Access |
Request changes or add full text files to a record
Repository staff actions (login required)
View Item |