One third of patients with idiopathic autism have treatment resistant epilepsy, associated with earlier onset of seizures. In addition to insufficient response to medical treatment, they also have poorer responses to surgical and VNS approaches (Sansa et al 2011). Novel approaches to reduce seizure burden and improve quality of life for the children and their caregivers are needed.
There is a plethora of basic research documenting elevated oxidative stress in animal models of seizures. Several animal models have decreased oxidative stress through using compounds with antioxidant effects, but suprisingly, few human studies have been done to date.
This small open-label pilot study will examine the use of N-acetyl cysteine, an inexpensive but readily available over-the-counter nutritional supplement, to reduce seizure frequency in 10 youth with autism who have not responded completely to conventional anticonvulsant therapy
