NAC Reduces Anger and Aggression in Autism
Resperidone, according to the Federal Drug Administration, is one of two drugs approved for the treatment of Autism. It’s an antipsychotic medication that helps mostly with aggression, outbursts and in general to create a calmer child. Although it is merely a bandaid in that it just controls symptoms, it has its purpose in managing behavior and often can have tremendous positive results when used appropriately – however the side effects are quite extensive including weight gain, an increase in the development of diabetes, liver damage and others. For this reason many parents are nervous about using this medication and often ask for alternatives.
Recent research points to a possible replacement and/or an addition to help use the lowest dose possible of Resperidone in order to mitigate side effects. In my practice I advocate for the lowest dose possible, using more natural methods to help increase the chances of a lower dose being therapeutic as well as reducing the potential of unwanted negative side-effects. I use a multitude of products to accomplish this.
Recently a double blinded placebo controlled study was undertaken to determine if the use of N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC), an antioxidant I use in my office often, could improve the benefits of Resperidone while reducing the side effects. Forty children were enrolled in the study over an 8 week period and results showed a very large decrease in the mean scores of irritability on the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC) in the group treated with the additional NAC. The scores in the NAC/Resperidone group dropped 6 points (a WHOPPING 30% reduction) where the scores in just the Resperidone group dropped 1 point.
In a smaller study just looking at NAC for aggression in Autism, irritability was also shown to significantly be reduced when compared to placebo.
In a nut shell- NAC reduces autistic symptoms of aggression, irritability and outburst!!
How does it do this? Well NAC is one of the precursors to the antioxidant Glutathione. Numerous studies have shown kids on the Autistic Spectrum have low levels of this antioxidant which may contribute to neuro-inflammation, thus causing symptoms that are “classified” as Autism. These levels can be low for a multitude of reasons, such as genetic abnormalities in the Methionine Synthase Pathway, gastrointestinal inflammation leading to malabsorption or overload of environmental toxins to name a few. NAC is one way to significantly raise these glutathione levels and hopefully therefore reduce the neuro-inflammation these children struggle with.
I love using NAC for glutathione support and am a big believer in its ability to help normalize glutathione levels and reduce symptoms of aggression and irritability. I have also found it helps with sustained attention. Dosages vary depending on the severity and health of the child’s gastrointestinal system so be sure to consult with your physician before implementing this product into your child’s regimen.
There are also a few children who negatively react to NAC with mild stomach upset. I’ve found this is usually due to an abnormal overgrowth of certain bacterial and or candidal species that love to feed on NAC. Make sure your child has been treated for dysbiosis before supplementing. In my office if a child struggles with GI problems and I want to supplement glutathione I have used transdermal creams and often intravenous infusions of NAC and/or glutathione itself. Consider all these options when discussing NAC with your child’s physician.
References:
BMC Psychiatry 2013, 13:196
J Res Med Sci 2012, 17(10):985-987