Much
research is based on experiments with mice rather than humans, for obvious
reasons. This was the case with Dr
Catterall’s recent successful trials of a long established drug called
Clonazepam, in two mouse models of autism.
Well, it
turns out that his findings are applicable to humans.
With a
dosage of around 1mcg/kg (that is micrograms per kilo) twice a day, the same
kind of positive behavioural/cognitive changes Catterall found in mice are indeed evident in
some humans.
The question
remains as to the long term effect of using this drug; in very much higher
doses, there are negative consequences.
Comparison with dosage for other
conditions
·
As
a treatment for seizures, the maximum dosage in children for 0.2 mg/kg/day
·
As
a treatment for panic/anxiety the typical adult dose is 1mg with maximum of 4
mg
·
For
bipolar disorder in adults the maximum dose is a hefty 20 mg
Clonazepam
use in the above conditions is associated with both tolerance (gradually needing
a higher dosage to maintain effectiveness) and being habit forming (addictive).
The autism dose appears to be just one
hundredth of the maximum pediatric anti-seizure dose and is perhaps too low to
cause problems.
Increase in Serotonin
Not only
does Clonazepam affect the neurotransmitter GABA, but it has a known secondary
effect on serotonin, the “happy hormone”, which appears to be low in the autistic
brain.
In the US
the trade name is Klonopin and it appears to be called “K-pin” among those who
abuse it, for the happy effect.
In most of the
rest of the world it is called Rivotril.
Nobody knows.