N-Acetylcysteine
ALSUntangled #82: N-acetylcysteine While NAC has theoretical therapeutic promise in ALS due to its antioxidant properties and ability to modulate oxidative stress and restore mitochondrial function, several case studies failed to show benefits, whether given orally or via subcutaneous injection, in slowing ALS progression or prolonging survival. Two clinical trials in PALS, including one randomized […]
Alpha Lipoic Acid
ALA has several plausible mechanisms for slowing ALS progression, including enhancing energy production, reducing oxidative stress as a potent antioxidant and anti inflammation. Preclinical studies demonstrated better motor function and improved survival. One open label study suggested improved QOL and fatigue when administered as a palladium lipoic acid complex, but motor function was not assessed. […]
Ashwagandha
WS appears reasonably safe, has plausible mechanisms by which it might slow ALS progression, and has promising data obtained in multiple different clinical models of ALS. While there are also some interesting self reports from PALS and one verified ALS reversal on a compound containing WS, these must be interpreted with caution because of the […]
Lions Mane
While Lion’s Mane may have neuroprotective, neurotrophic, antioxidant, and anti inflammatory properties that could, at least in theory, potentially help ALS, there are still no studies in ALS relevant cell or animal models, nor in humans with ALS. Therefore, we do not have enough information to support the current use of Lion’s Mane for treating […]
Caffeine
Caffeine is inexpensive, reasonably safe at doses of under 400 mg daily, and has plausible mechanisms by which it could slow ALS progression. However, data from pre-clinical models are contradictory and a two cohort studies showed no clear relationship between caffeine intake and ALS progression. Based on all this, we cannot endorse caffeine as anALS […]
Astaxanthin
There are theoretical mechanisms supporting the potential role of astaxanthin in the treatment of ALS, however, there are no ALS specific preclinical data exploring this treatment. One verified “ALS reversal” occurred while taking astaxanthin in the setting of a cocktail of various other therapies an association that does not prove causality. There have been no […]
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is safe and inexpensive. As an antioxidant, it has a plausible mechanism for influencing the course of neurodegenerative diseases. Two flawed preclinical studies by the same group showed benefits in a mouse model of familial ALS. There are two case reports in which it was associated with improvement. However, there are multiple possible […]
Melatonin
Melatonin has plausible mechanisms, some positive (and some negative) pre-clinical data, and two case reports in which it was part of a cocktail of treatments associated with recovery of lost motor function. As we have stated previously, there aremultiple possible explanations for cases like these. There was also a very small, flawed retrospective study suggesting […]