Alpha-lipoic Acid/L-acetyl Carnitine for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy

• Status: Completed
• Trial end date: 2015-04-07
• Target enrollment: 0
• Participant gender: All

Summary

Studies have shown that alpha-lipoic acid and L-acetyl carnitine may have some neuroprotective activities and it is hoped that they could be helpful for people with neurodegenerative illnesses such as progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP).

The purpose of this study is to find out whether the nutritional supplement alpha-lipoic acid/L-acetyl carnitine is safe and well-tolerated in individuals with PSP when given daily, and whether it affects their well-being, brain scan measurements and blood tests that measure the energy metabolism in cells.

• Phase: Phase 1/Phase 2
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers?: No

Details

• Lead Sponsor: Weill Medical College of Cornell University
• Treatments: Acetylcarnitine; Thioctic Acid

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of probable PSP by NINDS/PSP workshop criteria (see patient folder)

• Age 40-75 years

• Able to undergo MRI

• Absence of significant medical, psychiatric, and other neurological disease

• Stable intake of supplements and medication

Exclusion Criteria:

• Failure to meet probable PSP diagnosis by NINDS/PSP workshop criteria

• unable to comply with informed consent process

• unable to undergo MRI

• presence of significant medical, psychiatric (incl MDD) or other neurological (incl epilepsy, brain tumor, stroke) disease

• possibility of pregnancy (negative test required in women of childbearing age)