5 replies to this topic

[MrHappy]

http://www.nature.co.../tp201433a.html

 

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) now affect 1–2% of the children born in the United States. Hundreds of genetic, metabolic and environmental factors are known to increase the risk of ASD. Similar factors are known to influence the risk of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder; however, a unifying mechanistic explanation has remained elusive. Here we used the maternal immune activation (MIA) mouse model of neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders to study the effects of a single dose of the antipurinergic drug suramin on the behavior and metabolism of adult animals. We found that disturbances in social behavior, novelty preference and metabolism are not permanent but are treatable with antipurinergic therapy (APT) in this model of ASD and schizophrenia. A single dose of suramin (20 mg kg⁻¹ intraperitoneally (i.p.)) given to 6-month-old adults restored normal social behavior, novelty preference and metabolism. Comprehensive metabolomic analysis identified purine metabolism as the key regulatory pathway. Correction of purine metabolism normalized 17 of 18 metabolic pathways that were disturbed in the MIA model. Two days after treatment, the suramin concentration in the plasma and brainstem was 7.64 μM pmol μl⁻¹ (±0.50) and 5.15 pmol mg⁻¹ (±0.49), respectively. These data show good uptake of suramin into the central nervous system at the level of the brainstem. Most of the improvements associated with APT were lost after 5 weeks of drug washout, consistent with the 1-week plasma half-life of suramin in mice. Our results show that purine metabolism is a master regulator of behavior and metabolism in the MIA model, and that single-dose APT with suramin acutely reverses these abnormalities, even in adults.

 

Full paper in link above.

 

Information about Suramin:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suramin

[YOLF]

Interesting molecule... is there anything else that would do the same thing?

 

There is a greater than 50% chance of adrenal corticaldamage, but only a smaller proportion will require lifelong corticosteroid replacement. It is common for patients to get a tingling or crawling sensation of the skin with suramin. Suramin will cause clouding of the urine which is harmless: patients should be warned of this to avoid them becoming alarmed. (wiki)

 

 

 

Perhaps this has more to do with the diseases that this drug is usually used to treat?

 

Could the indicated diseases also be largely to blame for behavioral differences in the areas where the diseases are most common (Various parts of Africa and some parts of the middle east? I think we should definitely develop a vaccine. There are animals that get the disease too so it's test ready.

 

It also apparently inhibits Telomerase in a cancer model.

[niner]

 

There is a greater than 50% chance of adrenal corticaldamage, but only a smaller proportion will require lifelong corticosteroid replacement. It is common for patients to get a tingling or crawling sensation of the skin with suramin. Suramin will cause clouding of the urine which is harmless: patients should be warned of this to avoid them becoming alarmed. (wiki)

 

 

Perhaps this has more to do with the diseases that this drug is usually used to treat?

 

I wouldn't count on it.  This is a pretty ugly looking set of side effects.   We should keep in mind that this is a mouse model of a complex disease, and although it duplicates some behaviors seen in autism, we shouldn't confuse it with autism itself.  It would be interesting if someone on the spectrum happened to have sleeping sickness and got suramin for it.  Chances are that has happened at some point.

[YOLF]

We'd likely have to look to underdeveloped regions of Africa... I wouldn't be too hopeful of someone out there being diagnosed with a spectrum disorder.

[the_apollo]

The precautions about suramin side effects is about the effects by a chronic dosage, the study (or studies) about suramin with autism talks about a single dose, every couple weeks or so.

 

 

A single dose remained effective in the mice for about five weeks, and then washed out. Moreover, suramin cannot be taken long-term since it can result in anemia and adrenal gland dysfunction.

http://www.eurekaler...--sdr061114.php

 

 

 

On a related note; is it possible to buy suramin anywhere?

[Metagene]

The precautions about suramin side effects is about the effects by a chronic dosage, the study (or studies) about suramin with autism talks about a single dose, every couple weeks or so.
 

 
A single dose remained effective in the mice for about five weeks, and then washed out. Moreover, suramin cannot be taken long-term since it can result in anemia and adrenal gland dysfunction.

http://www.eurekaler...--sdr061114.php
 
 
 
On a related note; is it possible to buy suramin anywhere?

Fisher Scientific has it in stock.

http://www.fishersci..._10761336__-1_0