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mrsD · 05-05-2008, 11:18 AM

on the Old Braintalk before the crash....

Quote:

Comment: The results of this study indicate that supplementation with L-carnitine significantly decreases attention problems and aggressive behavior in boys with ADHD. Although the mechanism of action is not clear, low plasma carnitine concentrations have been found in some children with ADHD. Because this nutrient plays a key role in energy metabolism, correction of carnitine deficiency might enhance overall performance, thereby improving attention span and other aspects of behavior. Carnitine is also involved in blood-sugar regulation, which may be abnormal in some children with ADHD. A relatively large dose of L-carnitine was used in the present study. Additional research should focus on whether lower doses would be effective, when used as a component of a comprehensive dietary and nutritional-supplement regimen.

Van Oudheusden LJ, Scholte HR. Efficacy of carnitine in the treatment of children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 2002;67:33-38.

and this:

Quote:

Med Hypotheses. 1998 Jun;50(6):497-500. Related Articles, Links

Autism: a mitochondrial disorder?

Lombard J.

Westchester Square Medical Center, New York, NY 10461, USA.

Autism is a developmental disorder characterized by disturbance in language, perception and socialization. A variety of biochemical, anatomical and neuroradiographical studies imply a disturbance of brain energy metabolism in autistic patients. The underlying etiology of a disturbed bioenergetic metabolism in autism is unknown. A likely etiological possibility may involve mitochondrial dysfunction with concomitant defects in neuronal oxidative phosphorylation within the central nervous system. This hypothesis is supported by a frequent association of lactic acidosis and carnitine deficiency in autistic patients. Mitochondria are vulnerable to a wide array of endogenous and exogenous factors which appear to be linked by excessive nitric oxide production. Strategies to augment mitochondrial function, either by decreasing production of endogenous toxic metabolites, reducing nitric oxide production, or stimulating mitochondrial enzyme activity may be beneficial in the treatment of autism.

Publication Types:
Review
Review, Tutorial

PMID: 9710323 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

here is a more modern paper:

Quote:

1: J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2007 Dec;17(6):791-802.Click here to read Links
Acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a multi-site, placebo-controlled pilot trial.
Arnold LE, Amato A, Bozzolo H, Hollway J, Cook A, Ramadan Y, Crowl L, Zhang D, Thompson S, Testa G, Kliewer V, Wigal T, McBurnett K, Manos M.

The Ohio State University Nisonger Center, Columbus, OH, USA.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC), a metabolite necessary for energy metabolism and essential fatty acid anabolism, might help attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Trials in Down's syndrome, migraine, and Alzheimer's disease showed benefit for attention. A preliminary trial in ADHD using L-carnitine reported significant benefit. METHOD: A multi-site 16-week pilot study randomized 112 children (83 boys, 29 girls) age 5-12 with systematically diagnosed ADHD to placebo or ALC in weight-based doses from 500 to 1500 mg b.i.d. The 2001 revisions of the Conners' parent and teacher scales (including DSM-IV ADHD symptoms) were administered at baseline, 8, 12, and 16 weeks. Analyses were ANOVA of change from baseline to 16 weeks with treatment, center, and treatment-by-center interaction as independent variables. RESULTS: The primary intent-to-treat analysis, of 9 DSM-IV teacher-rated inattentive symptoms, was not significant. However, secondary analyses were interesting. There was significant (p = 0.02) moderation by subtype: superiority of ALC over placebo in the inattentive type, with an opposite tendency in combined type. There was also a geographic effect (p = 0.047). Side effects were negligible; electrocardiograms, lab work, and physical exam unremarkable. CONCLUSION: ALC appears safe, but with no effect on the overall ADHD population (especially combined type). It deserves further exploration for possible benefit specifically in the inattentive type.

PMID: 18315451 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

and:

Quote:

: Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2002 Jul;67(1):33-8.Click here to read Links
Efficacy of carnitine in the treatment of children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Van Oudheusden LJ, Scholte HR.

Department of Pediatrics, Westfries Gasthuis, Hoorn, The Netherlands. oudheusden@wxs.nl

To determine safety and the efficacy of carnitine treatment in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The ADHD behavior was observed by parents completing the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and by teachers completing the Conners teacher-rating score, in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled double-crossover trial. In 13/24 boys receiving carnitine, home behavior improved as assessed with the CBCL total score (P < 0.02). In 13/24 boys, school behavior improved as assessed with the Conners teacher-rating score (P < 0.05). Before treatment, the CBCL total and sub-scores were significantly different from those of normal Dutch boys (P < 0.0001). Responders showed a significant improvement of the CBCL total scores compared to baseline (P < 0.0001). In the majority of boys no side effects were seen. At baseline and after carnitine treatment, responders showed higher levels of plasma-free carnitine (P < 0.03) and acetylcarnitine (P < 0.05). Compared to baseline, the carnitine treatment caused in the responsive patients a decrease of 20-65% (8-48 points) as assessed by the CBCL total problem rating scale. Treatment with carnitine significantly decreased the attention problems and aggressive behavior in boys with ADHD. Copyright 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd.

PMID: 12213433 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

My impressions from this original poster was that he was seeking improved
libido. He had increased attention as a side effect.

He does not say he HAS ADD/ADHD or TS...

The autism community is now using methyl B12 and methylfolate as well as carnitine and CoQ-10 to enable better mitochondrial functions. New research is hinting that vaccine injury occurs to the mitochondria and may be a trigger to autism in children.