Acetyl-L-carnitine may be effective for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

2013-10-30 09:21:29

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a chronic, degenerative condition resulting in gradual loss of normal body function leading to disability and death. The cause of ALS is not known, and there is no established treatment available. An area currently under investigation is whether nutrients that improve cellular function and energy production might be able to slow down the progression of this disease.

The current study is one of the first to assess the effects of acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) in combination with the drug riluzole on disability and mortality in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Patients diagnosed with either “definite” or “probable” ALS, who had had ALS for between 6-24 months, were self-sufficient in their ability to perform activities of daily living (ie. able to swallow, cut food/handle utensils, and walk), and who still had good lung function were included in this study. All patients were given riluzole 100mg/d, and were then randomized to receive either acetyl-L-carnitine 3g/d or placebo or placebo for 48 weeks. A total of 42 patients received acetyl-L-carnitine and 40 received placebo.

Treatment with acetyl-L-carnitine was shown to help preserve function for longer than placebo: after 48 weeks, 34 (80.9%) patients receiving acetyl-L-carnitine and 39 (97.5%) receiving placebo became non-self-sufficient. In addition, scores for questionnaires assessing function were significantly better in the group receiving acetyl-L-carnitine. Lung function remained stable in the acetyl-L-carnitine group but declined markedly in the placebo group. Finally, patient taking acetyl-L-carnitine had a survival time of 45 months until death, whereas the control group had a survival time of only 22 months. Investigators concluded that acetyl-L-carnitine may be an effective, well-tolerated and safe therapy in ALS, and a larger study is planned to confirm these results.