VANCOUVER, BC—Lipoic acid is safe, well tolerated, and offers neuroprotection in patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS), results from a “highly promising pilot study” presented at the 68th Annual AAN Meeting have shown.
The 2-year randomized, double-blind trial found that lipoic acid, demonstrated “a significant reduction in whole brain atrophy, a trend towards beneficial effects on walking speed and reduction in falls, and overall safety and tolerability,”
The study randomized 54 patients with secondary progressive MS to either placebo or lipoic acid 1200mg/day. Of these subjects, 51 took at least 1 dose and were included in the analysis, 24 in the placebo group and 27 in the lipoic acid group.
Reduction in MRI whole brain atrophy was the primary outcome. “Secondary outcomes included atrophy of brain substructures, spinal cord atrophy, retinal and macular atrophy, changes in neurological exam, walking, cognition, fatigue, and quality of life,” they noted.
