Creatine to Slow Parkinson's Progression?

Ivanhoe Newswire

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(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Nearly 2,000 patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) will soon help the medical community find out if a nutritional supplement can slow their disease.

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), a component of the National Institutes of Health, is launching a large-scale study to see if creatine can benefit Parkinson's patients. The supplement is widely thought to improve exercise performance, but it is not approved to treat any medical condition.

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Studies suggest creatine can improve the function of mitochondria, which produce energy inside cells. It may also protect brain cells from harmful compounds.

The trial will enroll 1,720 people with early stage PD at 51 medical centers in the United States and Canada. Currently, there is no treatment available to slow the progression of the disease.

"This study is an important step toward developing a therapy that could change the course of this devastating disease," writes NIH Director Elias A. Zerhouni, M.D. "The goal is to improve the quality of life for people with Parkinson's for a longer period of time than is possible with existing therapies."

The study will enroll Parkinson's patients who have been diagnosed within the past five years and have been treated for two years or less with levodopa or other drugs that can increase dopamine levels in the brain. Many PD symptoms are attributed to a decrease in dopamine -- a neurotransmitter that helps control movement.

Half the study participants will take creatine; the other half will get a placebo. Researchers will evaluate the progression of PD by measuring activities including the patients' quality of life, ability to walk, and cognitive function. The study will last five to seven years.

This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, which offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, click on: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.

SOURCE: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)