2014-04-07 08:40:41
Creatine is a naturally occurring substance often used in supplement form by many body builders to increase muscle mass. It has several mechanisms of action but it is well known to increase ATP in the body. A recently published study shows the promising use of this nutrient in Huntington, a disease that currently has no cure.[1] The first clinical trail of its kind, researchers found high doses of creatine may have the potential to slow brain atrophy and in turn potentially slow disease progression. Dose of 15g used in the study was found to be well tolerated and safe for periods of up to 18months. Previous studies published have also found this supplement to be safe, and tolerable at high doses.[2,3] In one a marker linked with oxidative injury to DNA was found to be decreased in the creatine group, a marker normally found elevated in Huntington disease.[3]
References
1. Rosas HD, Doros G, Gevorkian S, Malarick K, Reuter M, Coutu JP, et al. PRECREST: A phase II prevention and biomarker trial of creatine in at-risk Huntington disease. Neurology. 2014;82(10): doi 10.1212
2. Hersch SM, Gevorkian S, Marder K, Moskowitz C, Feigin A, Cox M. Creatine in Huntington disease is safe, tolerable, bioavailable in brain and reduces serum 8OH2’dG. Neurology. 2006; 66(2): 250-2.
3. Tabrizi SJ, Biamire AM, Manners DN, Rajagopalan B, Styles P, Schapira AHV et al. Creatine therapy for Huntington’s disease: Clinical and MRS finding in a 1-year pilot study. Neurology. 2003; 61(1): 141-142.