Chronic treatment with L-threonine in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a pilot study.
Thirty patients suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis were included in an open therapeutical trial. They were randomized to receive either L-threonine (Thr), a precursor of the inhibitory amino acid glycine, or vitamin B or carnitine. Thirteen patients (9 patients on Thr and 4 control subjects) completed the 1-year trial. No statistical differences were observed between the treated group and the control patients in the decline of the clinical assessment score. Nevertheless, Thr-treated patients complained less frequently of respiratory failure than the control group despite bulbar involvement being more common in the Thr group at entry.
Istituto Neurologico, C. Besta, Milan, Italy.
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Caraceni
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Girotti
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005971:Glutamates / Q000502:physiology; D018698:Glutamic Acid; D005998:Glycine / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000187:drug effects; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013912:Threonine / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D005971:Glutamates; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D013912:Threonine; D018698:Glutamic Acid; D005998:Glycine