Levorotatory form of 5-hydroxytryptophan in Friedreich's ataxia. Results of a double-blind drug-placebo cooperative study.
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of the levorotatory form of 5-hydroxytryptophan on the cerebellar symptoms of Friedreich's ataxia.


METHODS
Cooperative double-blind study of the levorotatory form of 5-hydroxytryptophan vs placebo.


METHODS
Twelve centers in research hospitals.


METHODS
Twenty-six patients were included; 19 completed the study (mean +/- SD age of patients, 25.9 +/- 8.1 years). Of these 19 patients, eight were treated with placebo and 11 were treated with the drug.


METHODS
A semiquantitative scale for kinetic and static ("postural") cerebellar functions and quantitative measurements of time in standard tests that evaluated stance, speech, writing, and drawing.


RESULTS
In the active treatment group, a significant decrease of the kinetic score was observed (P = .03), indicating an improvement in coordination.


CONCLUSIONS
These results demonstrated that the levorotatory form of 5-hydroxytryptophan is able to modify significantly the cerebellar symptoms in patients with Friedreich's ataxia. However, the effect is only partial and not clinically major.
Trouillas
P
P
Ataxia Research Center, Hôpital Neurologique, Lyons, France.
Serratrice
G
G
Laplane
D
D
Rascol
A
A
Augustin
P
P
Barroche
G
G
Clanet
M
M
Degos
C F
CF
Desnuelle
C
C
Dumas
R
R
D006916:5-Hydroxytryptophan / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005621:Friedreich Ataxia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010919:Placebos; D011187:Posture; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D013060:Speech
D010919:Placebos; D006916:5-Hydroxytryptophan