Dimercaptosuccinic Acid (DMSA) Treatment of Children With Autism and Heavy Metal Toxicity
Completed · Phase 1/Phase 2
Conditions studied: Autism
In brief
Many children with autism have a reduced level of glutathione and a reduced ability to excrete mercury, resulting in elevated levels in their bodies as demonstrated by blood, hair, provoked urine, and baby tooth testing. Our earlier studies have demonstrated that DMSA, an FDA-approved medication for treating lead poisoning in children, is effective in increasing excretion of mercury and other toxic metals. Based on many clinical reports, we hypothesize that a 3-month treatment with glutathione and DMSA will result in a reduction of autistic symptoms in some children with autism.
Key facts
- Study ID
- NCT00811083
- Run by
- Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine
- People needed
- 80
- Starts
- 2005-05-01
- Expected to finish
- 2007-04-01
- Last updated by the study team
- 2008-12-18
Who can join
Age: 3 and older, up to 8. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.
You may qualify if…
- Phase One
- Children with autism spectrum disorder
- Age 3-8 years (up to the day before the ninth birthday).
- At least a two-month history of taking a multi-vitamin/mineral supplement with at least the RDA of zinc, and continuing to take that during Phase One and Two.
- Phase Two:
- Excretion of high amounts of toxic metals in phase one
- Normal kidney/liver function, serum transaminases, and Complete Blood Count (CBC) (based on a blood test which will be conducted as part of Phase Two)
- No changes in medication, supplements, diet, or behavioral interventions during the study
You may not qualify if…
- Phase One and Two:
- No mercury amalgam dental fillings.
- No previous use of DMSA or other prescription chelators (except for 1-time challenges).
- No anemia or currently being treated for anemia due to low iron.
- No known allergies to DMSA
- No liver or kidney disease
Where it is running
- Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine — Tempe, Arizona, United States
Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov
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