posted
Has anyone ever used suramin? It's mainly used for African Sleeping Sickness and River Blindness as an anti parasitic. A recent study has shown that it temporarily reverses autistic-like symptoms in mice. The lead author's Cellular Danger Response (CDR) theory makes sense - a pathogen puts the cells in a defensive lock-down mode where communication is blocked or limited. Suramin doesn't cross the BBB, but it may have a profound effect on the neurotransmitters in the gut.
"Whether environmental or genetic, “antipurinergic therapy with suramin corrected the abnormalities that characterized each model of the disorder,” reported the researchers, who included 2004 NARSAD Young Investigator, Susan B. Powell, Ph.D., of the University of California (UC), San Diego. “This suggests we’ve discovered a mechanism that helps bridge the [proposed] genetic and environmental causes of autism,” said team leader Robert K. Naviaux, M.D., Ph.D., also of UC San Diego.
This potentially common “root” mechanism, Dr. Naviaux explains, is the cellular danger response (CDR), a protective metabolic reaction that is engaged when a threat is detected. Suramin may relieve ASD symptoms precisely because the CDR is important in both models of ASD. The “threat” that activates the CDR could be an infection ––as seen in the environmental mouse model––or a mutation (gene change), as shown in the genetic model. The mutation in the genetic model occurs in a gene known to cause Fragile-X syndrome, a defect often linked with ASD.
In CDR, cells shut down and put up barriers to the perceived danger. Communication between cells can be reduced as a result, and this breakdown in communication is what the researchers think may be interfering with brain function in the development of at least some ASD symptoms."
The "threat," for many, could be Bb.
Posts: 37 | From Florida | Registered: Aug 2009
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
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posted
- No experience with this but after seeing Jimmy Carter's work on this topic featured recently on a news program, I was interesting in learning more about it.
Thanks for the study links / info. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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The trial studies with 10 autistic boys was completed and the report will hopefully be published by the end of the year. I also learned that suramin was successful in improving autistic symptoms in these children. Some ASD kids have borrelia, bartonella, babesia, mycoplasma, etc. Suramin has a half-life of 44 to 55 days. I wonder if it is killing some of these pathogens.
If someone is in contact with Dr. Zhang, would you please ask him if suramin was one of the compounds that he tested for activity against borrelia persisters. Thanks.
posted
The suramin study was released today and it is a winner for autism! With it's long half-life, I wish Zhang or Lewis or somebody, anybody would test this compound on borrelia.
"The safety and activity of low-dose suramin showed promise as a novel approach to treatment of ASD in this small study."
"However, a small, randomized clinical trial conducted by Robert Naviaux, MD, PhD, professor of medicine, pediatrics and pathology, and colleagues at University of California San Diego School of Medicine have found that a single intravenous dose of suramin produced dramatic, but transient, improvement of core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD)."
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