Creatine - North Eastern ALS Consortium
A study of creatine in people living with ALS was completed earlier last year, which tried to demonstrate its efficacy on the energy metabolism of muscle. Abnormal metabolism of creatine produced in the body has been linked to the progression of degenerative neuromuscular diseases, such as ALS.The following is a report from the 14th International Symposium on ALS/MND meeting held in Milan, Italy from November 17-19, 2003.
A trial of creatine in patients with ALS
Presenter: J. Shefner (USA)
Creatine has been shown to improve the function of mitochondria that are sites within cells that generate energy. Several independent research laboratories have shown that creatine has had a neuroprotective effect in laboratory animals. Based on these encouraging results from laboratory research, several human clinical trials of creatine were organized.
The results of one trial were reported earlier in 2003 with findings that creatine did not demonstrate benefit for people with ALS. Dr. Shefner noted that the current study had begun before results of the previous study were disseminated and the two studies examined different clinical outcomes.
One hundred and four patients were enrolled in this placebo-controlled study. At a dose of 5 grams per day, creatine was well tolerated in this study; however, there was no benefit demonstrated in the patient group taking creatine. Outcome measures included muscle strength testing, estimations of motor unit numbers, survival and a functional rating scale.
