Creatine for the Treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
- Conditions
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
- Registration Number
- NCT00070993
- Brief Summary
Creatine is a naturally occurring chemical involved in the production of energy in muscle. Abnormalities in creatine have been linked to the progression of degenerative neuromuscular diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, or Lou Gehrig's Disease). This study will test whether taking creatine can improve the symptoms of ALS.
- Detailed Description
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder selectively affecting motor neurons, resulting in progressive weakness. Currently there is no known cure and a specific cause has not been identified. Creatine is a nutritional supplement that improves mitochondrial function and has been shown to protect motor neurons in animal models of ALS. Preliminary research indicates that creatine may also improve strength in patients with ALS. This study will determine the effect of creatine treatment on short-term muscle strength and long-term muscle deterioration in patients with ALS.
Participants in this study will be randomly assigned to receive either creatine or placebo. Participants will be enrolled in the study for 9 months. Quantitative muscle testing will be done weekly for the first 3 weeks; participants will then be followed monthly for the next 4 months and bimonthly for the remainder of the 9-month study. The study will also monitor purposeful exercise to determine if this enhances the benefit of creatine usage on muscle strength. Pulmonary function testing will accompany the muscle testing to determine if creatine strengthens respiratory muscles, thereby enhancing pulmonary function.
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- COMPLETED
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 110
Not provided
Not provided
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- FACTORIAL
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method
Trial Locations
- Locations (6)
Rush-Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center
๐บ๐ธChicago, Illinois, United States
University of New Mexico - Medical Center
๐บ๐ธAlbuquerque, New Mexico, United States
University of Texas Health and Science Center
๐บ๐ธSan Antonio, Texas, United States
California Pacific Medical Center
๐บ๐ธSan Francisco, California, United States
University of Virginia Health System
๐บ๐ธCharlottesville, Virginia, United States
University of Kansas Medical Center
๐บ๐ธKansas City, Kansas, United States