There is hope.

In Australia there has been a promising research proposal written by a highly respected clinical geneticist and researcher, Dr John Christodoulou, that would go a long way to solving the problem.

The only thing holding back Dr Christodoulou's proposal is funding. This disorder could likely be fixed within 5-6 years if this research could only get done. We at the Australian Trimethylaminuria Foundation are doing what we can to attract funding. But we are all sufferers of the disorder and it is tough trying to get out there in the community to approach potential donors and people with TMAU themselves are invariably hard up due to their difficulty interacting and gaining or keeping employment.

Research Proposal Summary:
1- Develop a more thorough and comprehensive testing process (both genetic and urine tests).
2- Investigate the therapeutic value of PTC124™ (Ataluren), a new drug which may help correct the nonsense TMAU mutations found on the FMO3 gene.
3- Investigate the use of "custom probiotics" (such as Methylophilus methylotrophus) which can digest the excess Trimethylamine in the gut, thereby reducing or eliminating the odor from within.

Dr. John Christodoulou
The lead researcher will be Dr John Christodoulou (Western Sydney Genetics Program, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, Disciplines of Paediatrics and Child Health & Genetic Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney), who has many years experience in genetics.

More Information
This research looks to be the most hopeful research into trimethylaminuria yet, including work to set the latest 'standard' in trimethylaminuria urine and DNA testing (which should be completed within a year), and also 2 lines of research into potentially very useful treatments for TMAU.

VIEW THE FULL PROPOSAL