Medium-term open label trial of L-carnitine in Rett syndrome

Abstract

Treatment strategies in Rett syndrome so far have been essentially symptomatic and supportive. In order to establish the medium-term effects of L-carnitine, an open label trial was performed in a cohort of 21 Rett syndrome females, with a control group of 62 Rett syndrome females of a similar age, for a 6-month period. Compared with the Rett syndrome controls, treatment with L-carnitine led to significant improvements in sleep efficiency (P=0.027), especially in the subjects with a baseline sleep efficiency less than 90%, energy level (P<0.005) and communication skills (P=0.004). There was no significant difference in the subject's level of physical activity, hand function or in the quality ..