Creatine supplementation in Huntington's disease: a placebo-controlled pilot trial.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of creatine (Cr) supplementation (5 g/day) in Huntington's disease (HD).


METHODS
A 1-year double-blind placebo-controlled study was performed in 41 patients with HD (stage I through III). At baseline and after 6 and 12 months, the functional, neuromuscular, and cognitive status of the patients was assessed by a test battery that consisted of 1) the Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS), 2) an exercise test on an isokinetic dynamometer to assess strength of the elbow flexor muscles, 3) a maximal exercise test on a bicycle ergometer to evaluate cardiorespiratory fitness, and 4) a test to assess bimanual coordination ability. Following the baseline measurements, the subjects were assigned to either a creatine (n = 26) or a placebo group (n = 15).


RESULTS
Scores on the functional checklist of the UHDRS (p < 0.05), maximal static torque (p < 0.05), and peak oxygen uptake (p < 0.05) decreased from the start to the end of the study, independent of the treatment received. Cognitive functioning, bimanual coordination ability, and general motor function (total motor scale, UHDRS) did not change from baseline to 1 year in either group.


CONCLUSIONS
One year of Cr intake, at a rate that can improve muscle functional capacity in healthy subjects and patients with neuromuscular disease (5 g/day), did not improve functional, neuromuscular, and cognitive status in patients with stage I to III HD.
Verbessem
P
P
Exercise Physiology and Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, K.U. Leuven, Belgium.
Lemiere
J
J
Eijnde
B O
BO
Swinnen
S
S
Vanhees
L
L
Van Leemputte
M
M
Hespel
P
P
Dom
R
R
D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects; D003401:Creatine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006816:Huntington Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000187:drug effects; D010809:Physical Fitness; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects; D018401:Sample Size; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D003401:Creatine