Amino Acids · Glycine

NNZ-2591 improves sleep in children and adolescents with Phelan-McDermid syndrome

In an open-label phase 2 trial, NNZ-2591 was associated with significant improvements in sleep assessments among 18 children and adolescents with Phelan-McDermid syndrome after 13 weeks of treatment. Sleep was one of 14 secondary efficacy endpoints, with significant improvement from baseline observed at week 13.

1 min readUpdated Aug 25, 20260 RCTsView structured evidence →
Evidence Score38/100
Human RCT☆☆☆☆☆
Meta-analysis☆☆☆☆☆
Mechanism★★★★★
Safety★★★★
Confidencelow

This article is automatically generated from the structured evidence profile behind the claim above. Scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical advice.

NNZ-2591 improves sleep in children and adolescents with Phelan-McDermid syndrome The current body of evidence comprises 1 study. EvidenceHub rates the overall confidence at 38/100 (low).

The Claim

NNZ-2591 improves sleep in children and adolescents with Phelan-McDermid syndrome

This conclusion is most relevant to: Children and adolescents aged 3-12 years with Phelan-McDermid syndrome (mean age 8.6 years, mean weight 30.4 kg).

What the Research Shows

The conclusion draws on 1 linked study. Highlights from the cited literature:

  • NNZ-2591 in Children and Adolescents With Phelan-McDermid Syndrome: Single-Group, Open-Label, Phase 2 Trial Results. (Neurology. Genetics, 2025) —

How It Works

The proposed biological pathway:

  • NNZ-2591 is a synthetic analog of cyclic glycine-proline, a metabolite of insulin-like growth factor 1
  • It modulates neurotrophic signaling pathways relevant to neurodevelopment
  • Improves synaptic function and neural connectivity in PMS
  • Result: Clinically meaningful improvements in sleep and other PMS symptoms

Who Might Benefit

Evidence fit by population:

  • Children and adolescents aged 3-12 years with Phelan-McDermid syndrome (mean age 8.6 years, mean weight 30.4 kg)

Limitations & Caveats

Important context when interpreting this evidence:

  • Open-label design with no placebo control, limiting causal inference
  • Small sample size (n=18) reduces generalizability and statistical power
  • Sleep was a secondary endpoint and not assessed with validated sleep-specific instruments

Frequently Asked Questions

What is NNZ-2591?

NNZ-2591 is a synthetic analog of cyclic glycine-proline, a metabolite of insulin-like growth factor 1, being tested for Phelan-McDermid syndrome.

Did NNZ-2591 improve sleep in this study?

Yes, sleep assessments showed significant improvement from baseline at week 13 in children and adolescents with PMS.

What were the main side effects of NNZ-2591?

NNZ-2591 was well tolerated; most treatment-emergent adverse events were mild to moderate.

Is NNZ-2591 approved for PMS?

No, this is a phase 2 trial; the drug is not yet approved. Further evaluation is ongoing.

References

  1. 1.Neumeyer AM, Srivastava S, Holder JL, Milad MA, Squires L, Jones NE, Glass L, Berry-Kravis E. “NNZ-2591 in Children and Adolescents With Phelan-McDermid Syndrome: Single-Group, Open-Label, Phase 2 Trial Results..” Neurology. Genetics, 2025. PMID: 41450730 DOI: 10.1212/NXG.0000000000200338
Disclaimer: This article is auto-generated from structured research data for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Evidence scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or intervention.