Drug Testing To Help Autistic Children Digest Essential Amino Acids

November 20, 2010

New treatment targets symptoms of disorder

BY BOB HOLT

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

Latest developments in the battle against autism are happening right in New

Brunswick, New Jersey.

The final testing of a new treatment for autism is taking place at Saint 's

University Hospital.

" We are targeting the symptoms of autism, " Dr. Joan Fallon told the Asbury Park

Press. Fallon is founder of Curemark LLC, a drug-research and development

company in Rye, N.Y.

The product is called " CM-AT, " for " Curemark's autism treatment. "

The testing being conducted at Saint 's involves 170 youngsters, hospital

spokesman Phil Hartman said.

Fallon said the test pool covers children age 3 to 8. She said she expects

results " sometime early next year. "

Dr. Barbie Zimmerman-Bier of Saint 's, who is running the study, said:

" Subjects heard about it and they got word from support groups. . . . There was

a screening process to see if they were eligible.

Curemark told the Asbury Park Press in a prepared statement: " CM-AT, which has

received fast-track status from the FDA, is based on Curemark's research that

showed enzyme deficiencies in autistic children, resulting in an inability to

digest protein. The inability to digest protein affects the availability of

amino acids, the building blocks of chemicals essential for brain function.

The statement concluded, " If approved, CM-AT will be one of the first therapies

to address the underlying physiology of autism. "

Fallon said Saint 's was chosen because " they are a well-known center for

autism, " citing the work of Zimmerman-Bier, head of the developmental and

behavioral pediatrics program at Saint 's Healthcare System.

Back in April during Autism Awareness Month, NJ.com reported that Caldwell

College received a $550,000 federal grant to help ensure that more teachers

learn how to recognize symptoms of autism in their students.

One in 94 children in New Jersey is diagnosed with autism — higher than the

national average of 1 in 110 children, according to the Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention.

The money can hopefully help to lead autistic children out of their isolation.

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