Creatine for neuroprotection in neurodegenerative disease: end of story?
Research snapshot:
2016 review study finds creatine supplementation shows limited clinical benefits in neurodegenerative diseases.
2016 |
Review |
Creatine |
Neuroprotection |
Overview.
The study evaluates the effectiveness of creatine supplementation as a neuroprotective strategy in various neurodegenerative diseases, concluding that despite promising animal studies, clinical trials have shown limited or no clinical benefits.
Background.
A team of researchers associated with the Department of Neurology at the University of Munich and the Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy) conducted this review, published in the journal Amino Acids.
Objectives.
The objectives of the study were to review the evidence from clinical trials on the use of creatine supplementation in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and to assess its potential as a neuroprotective agent.
Study design.
The study involved a review of several randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that examined the effects of oral creatine supplementation in patients with neurodegenerative diseases. The trials varied in duration, with some lasting up to 5 years.
Results.
The results showed that while animal studies were promising, clinical trials in humans did not demonstrate significant clinical benefits. For Parkinson’s disease, a large phase III trial was negative for all outcome measures. In ALS, none of the RCTs showed clinical benefit. In Huntington’s disease, high doses of creatine slowed brain atrophy in premanifest Huntingtin mutation carriers but did not provide clear clinical benefits.
Conclusions.
The study concluded that despite initial promise from animal studies, creatine supplementation has so far proven disappointing in clinical studies for symptomatic neurodegenerative diseases. However, it may still have potential in certain contexts, such as in premanifest stages of Huntington’s disease.
Original paper.
Bender, A., & Klopstock, T. (2016). Creatine for neuroprotection in neurodegenerative disease: end of story?. Amino Acids, 48(8), 1929–1940. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00726-015-2165-0
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