Lipoic acid shows brain protective effect in MS – ProHealth

Reprinted with the kind permission of Life Extension.

July 3 2017.On June 28, 2017, the journalNeuroimmunology & Neuroinflammationpublished the results of a pilot study which found a slower rate of brain atrophy amongmultiple sclerosis(MS) patients who received a daily supplement of lipoic acid.

The trial included 27 MS patients who received 1,200 milligrams R-lipoic acid per day for two years and 24 who received a placebo. Subjects were of an average age of 58.5 years and had an average disease duration of 29.6 years. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain was conducted upon enrollment between May 2011 and October 2013, at one year, and at the end of the two-year study.

At the end of two years, participants who consumed lipoic acid had 68% reduction in annualized percent brain change volume in comparison with the controls. Those who received lipoic acid also had improved walking times and fewer falls. The authors remark that the reduction in brain atrophy rate achieved in the current trial among those who received lipoid acid compares favorably with that observed in a recent trial that evaluated the effects of the drug ocrelizumab, which found a 17.5% reduction over a 120-week period.

The pilot trials findings will form the basis of an expanded multisite clinical trial that will begin later this year.

"These are high doses," noted lead author Rebecca Spain, MD, MSPH, who is an assistant professor of neurology at the Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine. "And while it seems safe, we won't know whether it actually improves the lives of people with MS until we can replicate the results in the pilot study through a much bigger clinical trial. Fortunately, we're going to be able to answer that question with the participation of kind volunteers."

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Lipoic acid shows brain protective effect in MS - ProHealth